Persistent protection

陈小将

Behind the awe-inspiring scenery, continuous efforts are being made to protect the environment and biodiversity of Fanjing Mountain, which is also designated as a national nature reserve.

Despite the mountain's growing popularity, the scenic area enforces strict limits on visitor numbers through an online booking system. Local authorities have also released a series of regulations to protect the environment and its biodiversity.

According to Li Haibo from the mountain's management bureau, sightseeing routes are carefully planned to shorten visit durations and minimize human interaction with wildlife. "The scenic area encompasses only a small portion of the mountain," he said. "With transportation options like cable cars and shuttle buses, tourist movement has a limited impact on the broader natural environment."

Yang, the general manager, added that the scenic area plans to introduce electric vehicles for tourist transport to further reduce emissions. Fire prevention measures have also been enhanced, and wastewater treatment facilities have been installed.

"Visitors can enjoy the beauty of nature while leaving behind only the lightest footprint," Li said.

With 97 percent forest coverage, the mountain is home to a rich diversity of plant and animal species, including monkeys, bears and snakes. Among them, the Guizhou golden snub-nosed monkey is a rare and endangered species, with Fanjing Mountain serving as its only habitat in the world.

Some 850 Guizhou golden snub-nosed monkeys live in the area.

"When the nature reserve was first established, we realized that the mountain area had become isolated from the surrounding ecosystems," said Shi Lei from the mountain's management bureau. "To address this, we built ecological corridors to help wildlife reconnect with the broader natural environment."

Regular environmental monitoring is conducted in the region, tracking indicators such as air quality, water quality and biodiversity, according to Wan. Since 2018, 37 new species have been identified on the mountain. "Without the protection of the mountain's original forests, we cannot discover these new species," Li said.

Fanjing Mountain is also renowned for its pristine water resources, with all surface water in its core area meeting Grade I, the highest level in China's five-tier surface water quality system. Nongfu Spring, the country's largest bottled water supplier, also sources water from the region. In 2024, the output of its local facility surpassed 1 billion yuan, Wan said.

Volunteers plant trees on Jinyun Mountain in Chongqing on March 22. XU CHUNMAO/FOR CHINA DAILY