Living in harmony

With greater emphasis on protection, as well as strengthening local villagers' awareness of conservation, the ecosystem in the Wuyi Mountains is now less damaged by human activities, and is gradually recovering.

Twenty-nine new species of flora and fauna have been discovered in the national park in the past five years.

Liu has witnessed the improvements firsthand. Before the park was established, Jiuqu stream would turn muddy whenever it rained, he said. However, nowadays, unless there is a torrential downpour, the stream remains clear, and fish can be seen swimming in its water.

"As the environment has improved, the wildlife has returned as well," Liu said. "We can now easily spot flocks of Silver Pheasants during the day, but a few years ago we would be lucky to see two or three."

In 2021, Nanping city proposed the construction of a protection and development belt around the national park to, among other goals, help improve locals' livelihoods.

The belt delineates a buffer zone of about 4,252 square kilometers where the preservation of natural ecosystems and biodiversity coexists with the development of green industries.

Under the innovative approach, residents can stay inside the designated development zone where protection measures are strictly enforced. The green industries permitted include ecotourism and agricultural practices such as tea growing.

The national park's favorable environment is expected to contribute to the development of the belt, said Wei Jindi, chief planner of the Nanping's bureau of natural resources and planning.

By setting red lines for ecological protection, the local government has stuck to the principle of prioritizing conservation while also being practical, he said.

"We formulated the overall plan for the protection and development belt around the park, focusing on coordination between the inner and outer circles to better preserve the authenticity and integrity of natural ecosystems, and preventing the national park from becoming an isolated ecological island," Wei said.

By developing cultural ecotourism and other industries, the local government is seeking to promote rural revitalization and green development, he added.

The belt aims to become a model for integrated conservation and development for national parks by 2025, as well as a demonstration zone for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature by 2030, he said.