ChineseToday | Forest rangers protect biodiversity in Greater Khingan Mountains-Xinhua
ChineseToday | Forest rangers protect biodiversity in Greater Khingan Mountains
Source: Xinhua
Editor: huaxia
2025-05-23 14:45:14
HULUNBUIR, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Cao Haihong, a 60-year-old forest ranger, began another day of patrol with his team at dawn. They spent two full days examining the habitat of Amur Cork trees for reducing wildfire risks while conducting a comprehensive survey of the entire forest farm.
Once a lumberjack felling trees in the mountains, Cao has now become a guardian of the dense forest. "In the past, logging caused a decline in biodiversity here," he recalled. "Now, with logging bans and growing awareness of ecological protection, species in the forest farm are thriving again. Wild animals like roe deer and lynxes are frequently spotted." Cao added, mentoring apprentices to master drone-assisted forest monitoring.
Forest ranger Cao Haihong checks an Amur Cork tree, a second-class protected plant in China, at Baimaogou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)An aerial drone photo taken on May 21, 2025 shows forest rangers conducting patrols at Chaihekou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)Forest ranger Cao Haihong (L) and his colleague monitor growth conditions of an Amur Cork tree, a second-class protected plant in China, at Baimaogou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Bei He)Forest ranger Cao Haihong (L) and his colleague record a naturally-dead Amur Cork tree, a second-class protected plant in China, at Baimaogou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Bei He)
The Baimaogou and Chaihekou forest farms, managed by Inner Mongolia's Chaihe Forestry Bureau, form a crucial biodiversity hub on the southern slopes of the Greater Khingan Mountains. Currently, the area is home to nine national first-class protected animals, 17 national second-class protected animals and a variety of rare plants.
Forest ranger Liu Batu conducts drone-assisted patrols of the wild habitat of Amur Cork trees, a second-class protected plant in China, at Baimaogou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)Forest ranger Liu Batu patrols the wild habitat of Amur Cork trees, a second-class protected plant in China, at Baimaogou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Kun)This photo taken on May 21, 2025 shows fritillaria meximowiczii, a second-class protected plant in China, at Chaihekou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)Forest ranger Yi Mingzhe takes photos of large-flowered lady's slipper orchids, a second-class protected plant in China, at Chaihekou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Bei He)This photo taken on May 20, 2025 shows an Amur Cork tree, a second-class protected plant in China, at Baimaogou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Bei He)Staff member Zhang Bin from Chaihe Forestry Bureau shows locally collected butterfly specimens in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Bei He)
For decades, Chaihe's forest rangers have safeguarded this ecological legacy, ensuring the forest's vitality to move on to future generations.
Forest ranger Yi Mingzhe equips a tree with an infrared camera at Chaihekou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Bei He)Forest ranger Yi Mingzhe equips a tree with an infrared camera at Chaihekou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)Forest ranger Yang Lijun educates motorists on wildfire prevention at Baimaogou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)Forest ranger Yi Mingzhe feeds a rescued goshawk at Chaihe Forestry Bureau in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Bei He)An aerial drone photo taken on May 20, 2025 shows forest rangers patrolling the wild habitat of Amur Cork trees, a second-class protected plant in China, at Baimaogou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)■
