"Qinghai in the Past Decade" media tour got underway recently. On August 7, 
some 60 reporters from domestic media outlets visited the Qinghai section of 
Qilian Mountain National Park to learn about Qinghai's progress of ecological 
civilization construction, according to Qinghai Provincial Administration of 
Qilian Mountain National Park.

The Qilian mountain range is an essential water source in NW China and the 
snow-capped mountains, glaciers, forests and grasslands are habitats for many 
rare wild animals.

In 2017, a government plan was passed to pilot the construction of a national 
park in the mountains. Since then, forest rangers have become a vital force in 
environmental protection.

Li Shunshan, 40, has been engaged in forest protection for several years in the 
Qilian Mountains. The former herder spends his days patrolling the mountains by 
motorcycle, horse, or foot.

His base, Sigou Management and Protection Station, sits at an altitude of 2,450 
meters and is in charge of an area of 500,484 mu in the Qilian Mountains.

Walking an average of 15 kilometers each day. "We usually set out for the 
forest at 7 am and return at around 4 pm," Li said. "We patrol the region for 
22 days a month. The main purpose of patrolling forests is to stop those who 
dig and hunt illegally. Meanwhile, we need to check for forest fires and carry 
out education on nature."

The Qinghai section of Qilian Mountains National Park has 40 management and 
protection centers or stations. There are currently 1,265 rangers who devote 
their time to protecting the local environment.

The construction of the national park has boosted animal populations and 
biodiversity in the Qilian Mountains, which lie on the border of Qinghai and 
Gansu provinces. "The improved environment has seen the revival of the 
population of some endangered species. Images of snow leopard, Chinese desert 
cat and blue sheep, have been captured by infrared cameras several times in 
recent years," Li said.

Building on his some years in the company of wildlife, the mountains, 
grasslands and rivers, Li said he loved working as a forest ranger.

Source: Qinghai Provincial Administration of Qilian Mountain National Park