Alshaa records boost in biodiversity

A red deer is spotted in the Helan Mountains in Alshaa League. [Photo/WeChat account of Alshaa Broadcasting and TV Station]

Alshaa League in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region has continued to ramp up the protection and restoration of its ecological environment, marking notable results in terms of increased biodiversity, according to local media reports.

In recent years, Alshaa has implemented important ecological protection measures such as retreating herds and forestry, environmental remediation and restoration. As the environment continues to improve, wild animals that hide deep in the mountains such as red deer, rock sheep, and the silver pika – an endangered mammal – have been sighted more frequently.

A golden eagle pictured above the Helan Mountains [Photo/WeChat account of Zoujin Helanshan]

The forest coverage rate of the Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve has increased from 31.6 percent before the establishment of the protected area to 57.3 percent now. Meanwhile, the forest area has increased from 320,000 mu (21,333 hectares) to 582,000 mu, and the vegetation coverage of forest areas has reached 80 percent.

The number of wild animals under national key protection remains stable. The snow leopard, which was considered extinct for over half a century, has reappeared in the Helan Mountains. The number of red deer has also increased from around 2,000 in 2001 to more than 7,000 at present.

There are currently 75 species of national key protected wild animals in the Helan Mountain National Forest Reserve, including golden eagles, snow leopards, blue-eared pheasants and red deer.

A rock sheep is spotted in the Helan Mountains. [Photo/WeChat account of Alshaa Broadcasting and TV Station]