Reporter Yang Wenming and Zhang Chi

Without a nature reserve, the largest population of China-Burmese grey langurs in China has increased from 500 to about 0 in less than 0 years. Mangshi, Dehong Dai Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, the habitat of the China-Myanmar grey langur, has built a natural park to balance wildlife conservation and local development, achieving a harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

Walking into the nature park in Celery Tang Village, Xuangang Township, the canopies of trees on both sides of the forest fire road are almost connected, and a group of Chinese and Burmese gray langurs move quickly on the canopy and soon disappear into the forest. "See? The mother monkey had a little golden monkey in her arms. Yang Kai, president of the Mangxing River Nature Conservation Association, lowered his voice and reminded reporters.

The China-Burma gray langur is a national first-class protected wild animal and is distributed in Xuangang Township. "When I was a kid, I used to see this 'gray monkey' when I was herding cattle in the mountains. They do not destroy crops and observe people from trees. Many years later, Yang Kaisuo returned to his hometown and found that it was difficult to find the "gray monkey" on the mountain.

"In the last century, in order to develop production, the people of Xuangang Township once destroyed forests to open up wasteland. The loss of natural forests has destroyed the habitat of the Chinese and Burmese grey langurs, and the monkeys have no choice but to migrate deeper into the mountains without enough food. Yang Kai felt regretful, so he asked a friend to start the road of spontaneous patrol.

In order to protect rare and endangered wild animals and plants such as the gray langur in China and Burma, the relevant authorities have considered the designation of nature reserves. However, a survey found that the main range of activities of the Chinese and Burmese gray langurs includes both state-owned forests and collective forests of the masses. How can we protect wildlife when the habitat of protected animals is not suitable for nature reserves? The local government decided to plan and build a natural park, insisting on prioritizing conservation, and at the same time actively developing ecotourism. Through the development of natural experience areas such as forest plank roads and monkey watching areas, the masses will be guided to increase their income and improve their livelihood through the development of tourism without affecting the survival and reproduction of China-Myanmar gray langurs.

In 2018 years, a group of photos brought fire to the Sino-Burmese gray langurs in Mangshi, and more and more photographers came to visit, hoping to take wonderful pictures of the monkeys, especially the little golden monkeys. "Not only photographers, but also eco-enthusiasts and research groups come here to study and learn about this species." Yang Kai said.

Monkey watching is not an easy task. The Chinese and Burmese grey langurs are highly vigilant, have a large range of activities, and move quickly. Where to go monkey watching? When is it better to go? How far away can I have a better experience without disturbing the monkeys? These all need to be guided by an experienced "monkey guide" like Yang Kaisuo.

"There are a lot of reservations for holidays, winter and summer vacations, and there are thousands of tourists every week at most, and almost all of the 'monkey guides' are leading the team outside." According to Yang Kai, there are now 5 "monkey guides" in the village, and the needs of tourists such as food and accommodation have increased the income of local villagers, and special products such as honey in the village are often sold out. In addition to the construction of the natural park, the local area also promotes green development through tree species transformation and planting of Chinese medicinal materials under the forest.

"Originally, the villagers were persuaded to join the Mangxing River Nature Conservation Association to wear out their mouths, but now everyone is rushing to join, and there are 146 members." Yang Kai said that life is getting better and better, and the monkeys have also felt the kindness of humans, as long as the "monkey guide" leads the team and does not get too close to the monkeys, the monkeys no longer avoid photographers.

"It is necessary not only to protect wild animals and plants, but also to take into account the production and life of local residents. A better life for the masses will help form a joint force for ecological protection. Ecological environmental protection can support the development of production and life, and the two complement each other. Zhou Chengwei, deputy head of the wildlife protection unit of the Mangshi Forestry and Grassland Bureau, said.

People's Daily (05/0/0 0 Edition)