Why should we explore ecotourism?

1999, "green camp" went to Hanas in northern Xinjiang. 1999 is the international year of eco-tourism. "green camp" conducted a one-month investigation on the development status of Hanas National Nature Reserve in northern Xinjiang, one of the eco-tourism destinations in China. Campers pay close attention to the status quo of eco-tourism in Hanas National Nature Reserve in northern Xinjiang, clarify the fact that the local area is destroying the ecological environment in the name of "eco-tourism", actively contact the local government, seek the true meaning of eco-tourism and the best combination of nature protection and eco-tourism, and trigger a profound reflection on the current situation of eco-tourism in society.

Xinjiang Hanas National Nature Reserve is located in Burqin County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, bordering Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan. 1986 became a national nature reserve, and the main protection objects are: cold temperate coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest ecosystem and natural landscape Hanas national nature reserve. There are nearly 1000 species of wild plants, 39 species of mammals, 3 species of reptiles, 39 species of birds 1 7 species of amphibians1species in nature reserves. The forest vegetation in the area is basically in the primitive state, and its dominant tree species are Siberian special species, which is the only Taijialin landscape in China. The natural ecosystem of the reserve is well preserved, which has important protection value and scientific research value.

In addition, Hanas is a summer resort and tourist attraction. The main attractions are: Hanas Lake, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay, Tuwa Village, etc. Pay attention to the ecology in the west. When the living conditions of human beings are getting worse and worse, desertification has become the focus of attention of all countries in the world. In 2000, the theme of "Green Camp" was to pay attention to the ecology in the west, focusing on Populus euphratica forest, and to investigate the present situation of desertification in southern Xinjiang and the management of local nature reserves.

Before going to Xinjiang, "green camp" did not discuss the problem of Populus euphratica. After arriving in Xinjiang, they got to know Populus euphratica, loved Populus euphratica and regretted Populus euphratica. They found the hidden causes of environmental damage, such as poor management, lax law enforcement and imperfect system.

According to historical records, Populus euphratica forests were widely distributed in the Mediterranean coast, the Middle East and arid areas such as Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia and Inner Mongolia. By 2000, the Populus euphratica forest had basically disappeared, but the largest area of Populus euphratica forest in the world still remained in the Tarim River basin.

Populus euphratica forest is a great creation of nature, just as desert ecology has created this special animal, so has Populus euphratica forest, a special plant. It is resistant to heat, cold, wind, sand, alkali, drought and barren. It is the only tree in the desert in the hinterland of Central Asia, and it is also a peculiar forest type evolved in arid areas. Populus euphratica forest is one of the oldest and most primitive tree species. Because the shape of leaves has different changes in the growing period, it is also called Populus heterophylla. Xinjiang is a typical inland arid area, with less precipitation and large evaporation. Although Populus euphratica lives in this area, it is not a xerophyte by nature and needs water. Two kinds of water are needed: surface water helps its seeds germinate and groundwater helps it grow. The surging Tarim River just meets its needs and strengthens its character. Populus euphratica forest blooms in May and its seeds mature in August, which is the season when the ice peak melts and the river overflows. Seeds can wander around and germinate quickly on wet land. The development and growth of young forest can change the soil structure, stabilize and raise the river bank, and divert the overflowing river water to feed another young forest. Therefore, young forests, young forests and mature forests of Populus euphratica are rarely mixed together, but distributed on different platforms on both sides of the Tarim River with the swing of the river.

On the other hand, the abundant underground water sources on both sides of Tarim River just meet the growth demand of Populus euphratica forest. Because the roots are particularly developed, they can survive as long as the groundwater level is not less than 6 meters. If the underground water source is abundant, Populus euphratica will grow vigorously, up to 30 meters, and the biggest three people will not be able to hold together, making it a rare majestic forest in the desert. Locals describe them as "three thousand years old: immortal for a thousand years, immortal for a thousand years." As an individual of Populus euphratica, although it can't reach such a long life span, as a forest community and ecosystem, it has really played a huge role in preventing and fixing sand for thousands of years.

During the inspection, "green camp" not only found that Populus euphratica forest was destroyed, but also found that birch, the most proud plantation in Xinjiang, was dying one by one. The famous Tarim River is actually a yellow soup full of sediment. The Tarim River basin is vast and sparsely populated, and it is declining. When "green camp" came back from Ruoqiang, the bridge was washed away, and it would take 10 days to repair the road alone.

In order to adjust the campers' mentality, the team discussed that before returning from Ruoqiang, "green camp" would go to the ancient city of Milan and 105-year-old Reheman, and he was called the last Lop Nur.

The ancient city of Milan is about 40 kilometers east of Ruoqiang. The road is not far, but the road conditions are very poor. There are not many artificial parts. Most of the time is empty on the endless Gobi desert, with countless dry rivers in the middle. After a journey of 40 kilometers, "green camp" walked for 4 hours and finally reached the ancient city of Milan. Campers think Milan is a world-famous ancient city, and there will always be some buildings or signs. After searching for a long time, I found nothing, and I came to a sand dune. There was a crossbar on the road ahead, which was probably the place to collect tickets. The ancient city of Milan has finally arrived.

When green camp entered the first site of the ancient city of Milan, there was a strong sandstorm. At this time, the campers did not return to the car because they avoided the sandstorm. They just wrap their heads in clothes and headscarves and wear glasses or sunglasses, but more campers still wear short sleeves and calmly accept the baptism of nature. Someone said afterwards, "This is a unique sand bath and massage." However, the campers had a deeper understanding: broken walls and the fierce beating of sand made them understand for the first time how small and incompetent people are in nature.

In 2000, "green camp" and the old man Richman (second row from the left)

Then green camp plans to visit Rejman Rejman, a centenarian whose full name is Rejman Casey. At 2 am on June+10/October1June, 65438, the old man died of illness at the age of 108. They first found the descendant of the old man-a lively and lovely female middle school student in Milan town, and then let her get on the bus and took the campers to the ethnic new village in the north.

Reheman is the oldest person in the ancient city of Milan, and more importantly, he is the last person from Lop Nur. Loulan disappeared more than 2,000 years ago, but the adherents of the ancient country passed it down from generation to generation. It was not until the 20th century that Reheman and his neighbors moved out of the arid Lop Nur, moved around the Tarim River basin, and then settled in Milan. They received special care from the government, paid a monthly living allowance and went to Beijing. They are news figures. Many books about Xinjiang exploration, Loulan and Lop Nur all talk about Reheman. Because everything about him is legendary. Talking to him means talking to Loulan, talking to Lop Nur, talking to vicissitudes and talking to history.

Sitting peacefully in a typical quadrangle in Xinjiang, the old man answered the questions raised by the "green camp" campers very simply and calmly, took the pulse of the team doctor, checked his body, and took photos with everyone without disturbing.

After more than 20 days of observation, visiting and consulting relevant materials, "green camp" has determined the fate of Populus euphratica, but it is difficult to "grab three": First, seize its water; Second, cultivate its land; The third is to cut down its trees.

The main performance of grabbing water is to dam the river in the plain, change the river course and intercept the water source of Populus euphratica forest. Reclamation is mainly manifested in a large number of blind local immigrants and reclamation of farmland and cotton fields, which has destroyed the natural pattern formed by the intersection of river basins, deserts and deserts for thousands of years and turned the original ecological water in the green corridor into water for agriculture, animal husbandry and life without restraint. Cutting down trees is mainly manifested in the process from paid logging to deforestation in the local area, which is a growing process.

When they investigated Populus euphratica forests on both sides of the Tarim River in the middle reaches of the Tarim River, they found that there are three counties under the jurisdiction of this area: Yuli, Luntai and Kuche, and all counties should create financial income, resettle the affected immigrants and other populations, and compete for the golden section of this traffic artery. Therefore, the contradiction and problem of destroying Populus euphratica forest are very prominent.

Later, green camp visited the West Tianshan National Nature Reserve. However, after investigation, they found that in order to cut down trees, cars and bulldozers were used in the reserve, and wood processing points were also set up. Every day, large logs are transported from logging points to processing points, processed into squares and boards, and then transported to the construction site. Poor management, lax law enforcement and imperfect system are the root causes of local environmental damage.

Green camp returned to Beijing after the investigation in Xinjiang. In the name of "environmental envoy", Tang Xiyang wrote a report entitled "Emergency Appeal for Protecting Populus euphratica" to the State Environmental Protection Administration for the first time, which was more than 6,000 words long. This report has attracted great attention from the environmental protection department.