County seeking to balance ecology and economy

Mingyong Glacier is located on a subsidiary peak of the Meili Snow Mountains in Deqen county in the Diqing Tibet autonomous prefecture.

In the northwest of Yunnan province, it is an area of rich biodiversity as well as religious significance, drawing large numbers of tourists and pilgrims each year.

But with global warming posing a challenge, local government officials are faced with the task of protecting the fragile ecology while at the same time encouraging tourism.

The four main villages in the foothills of the mountain - Feilaisi, Mingyong, Xidang and Yubeng - view tourism as a key driver of the local economy.

Of the combined population of about 930, some people have set up small hotels and restaurants to cater to tourists. Others provide horse caravans for camping trips, while still others grow grapes and barley for liquor.

The county earned about 1 billion yuan ($147 million; 129 million euros; ￡114 million) from tourism last year, according to Zhaxi Wudui, a county official associated with the industry.

The vast majority of tourists are Chinese, and the sector employs 6,000 people, he says in the town of Deqen.

Ma Caihua, the director of publicity for the county government, says, "Nature is the area's biggest asset, so preserving it will mean more income from tourism."

She cites one measure: Rural residents have been asked to keep their yaks and cows from overgrazing in the grasslands.

Lately, the county has focused its attention on garbage disposal in the Meili nature reserve.

Empty soda and juice cans, discarded plastic bags and tissue paper are the main items that litter parts of the area, despite the availability of trash bins.

Groups of workers collect the trash in big bags and bring the bags to trucks that transport the garbage to a central facility in the town.

"The trash is burned and then used for making bricks at a waste compression unit," says Ge Du, the deputy director of the county's environment protection agency.

"To increase awareness among locals, the county government is sending officials to colleges to talk to the youth. And for tourists, we have put up anti-littering signs at scenic spots" he adds.

However, even as the local government works on enhancing awareness about environmental protection, funds for such projects remain scarce, the official says.

satarupa@chinadaily.com.cn