Rural people's lives change for the better

Another Tibetan custodian, Tashi, 51, joined the park patrols in 2016.

He said that as the custodians maintain a clean and safe environment on a daily basis and prevent the grassland from becoming strewn with rubbish, the grass looks lush and bright. The number of wild animals is also rising, as they are guaranteed a healthy food supply.

Another custodian, Paltse, 28, also from Madoi county, agrees with Tashi that local residents now live in a much-improved environment. "When I was a child, I didn't pay much attention to my surroundings when I grazed animals, but as I grew up, I slowly noticed the environment had improved," he said. "I think that Ngoring Lake looks bigger now, and the water is so clean you can scoop it up with your hands and drink it."

Tashi added that wild animals such as Tibetan donkeys used to hide from humans, but now the donkeys can be seen everywhere. Since hunting was banned in the area, the animals no longer turn and run like they used to.

Tashi has lost count of the animals he has seen during his patrols in recent years. "They now don't even blink when we walk within 100 meters of them," he said.

Tsering Gyal, 49, from Madoi county too, who has been a custodian for seven years, said he has gained more experience from his work.

"I was a little worried when I saw wild animals in the first few years. I had to fight the impulse to run away, as I was unarmed, but would have been arrested if I harmed them," he said.

He thinks that humans and animals are getting closer. "I stay calm now, as I'm sure that the animals have no interest in chasing and harming me," he added.

Animals are getting their freedom back, while custodians are making a stable income and have roofs over their heads.