The forest police stationed in Hongtupo township, located in Southwest China’s Yunnan province, have successfully completed their annual patrol of an acclaimed migratory bird stopover site and habitat in the Ailao Mountain region. The forest police officers from the Hongtupo forest police station, in Nanhua county, embark on their patrol in September every year and conclude it by February of the following year. According to Zhang Yueping, an instructor at the police station, the officers traverse the forests in the Nanhua area of the Ailao Mountain national nature reserve during their patrol.
The Hongtupo forest police station’s patrol is a crucial exercise in the protection of the migratory bird population in the Ailao Mountain area. The reserve is renowned for hosting an extensive array of migratory bird species that stopover or reside in the reserve, including the Chinese monal, black-necked crane, and chestnut thrush. The patrol aims to enforce conservation laws, prevent illegal hunting and poaching activities, and detect any signs of disease or environmental pollution that could threaten the bird population’s health and wellbeing.
The Hongtupo forest police station officers’ work is challenging and often dangerous, given the rugged terrain of the Ailao Mountain reserve and the potential threats posed by illegal activities such as hunting and logging. The officers’ primary responsibility during the patrol is to safeguard the reserve’s natural resources, wildlife, and the tourists who visit the area to observe the birds’ migration. They conduct daily inspections, monitor the reserve’s ecological status, and collect data on the migratory bird population’s size, distribution, and health.
The forest police station in Hongtupo township is one of many institutions and organizations working together to protect the environment and conserve biodiversity in China. The Chinese government has initiated several conservation programs and campaigns to address environmental challenges such as habitat loss, species extinction, and climate change. The Ailao Mountain national nature reserve is an essential component of these efforts, and the forest police’s annual patrol is a critical aspect of the reserve’s management and protection.
the annual patrol by the Hongtupo forest police station officers is a vital activity that helps protect the migratory bird population and their habitat in the Ailao Mountain region. Their work is essential in enforcing conservation laws, preventing illegal activities, and detecting potential threats to the reserve’s ecological health. The patrol is an excellent example of China’s commitment to environmental protection and conservation and serves as a reminder of the importance of biodiversity and the need to safeguard it for future generations.
To prevent poaching and other wildlife crimes, the officers from the Hongtupo forest police station conduct patrols in the forests located deep in the Ailao area, specifically in Dazhong Mountain, during their stay. The patrol is critical in ensuring the protection of wildlife in the region, as poaching had become rampant in the past, leading to the near extinction of various species. Zhang Yueping notes that the forest police station has gained the moniker “a migratory police station” due to its critical role in the protection of migratory birds in the area.
The Hongtupo forest police station was established in 1984 to address the rampant poaching of wildlife on the mountain. At the time, the illegal hunting of a wide variety of animals had reached a level where their survival was threatened. The establishment of the police station was therefore a necessary step towards protecting the wildlife in the region.
Despite the station’s importance in the protection of the environment and wildlife, it faced significant challenges during its early days. There was no running water or phone service, and the delivery of supplies was a major issue. As a result, the officers had to live in tents, making their work even more challenging.
Over time, the forest police station has overcome these initial challenges and has established itself as a crucial institution in the protection of wildlife and the environment. The station’s officers work tirelessly to enforce conservation laws and prevent illegal activities, such as poaching and logging, in the region.
The Hongtupo forest police station’s patrol in the Dazhong Mountain forests is essential in the prevention of wildlife crimes, such as poaching. The establishment of the police station in 1984 was necessary in addressing the rampant illegal hunting of various animals that threatened their survival. The station has overcome initial challenges such as a lack of running water and phone service and has become an integral institution in the protection of the environment and wildlife. The station’s officers’ work highlights the importance of conservation efforts in protecting biodiversity for future generations.
The officers of the Hongtupo forest police station had to endure harsh living conditions for almost 30 years, with no proper housing provided until 2010 when a house was built at the foot of Dazhong Mountain. Despite the lack of adequate facilities, the officers continued to carry out their patrols, dedicated to protecting wildlife in the mountain.
According to Zhou Piyin, a former head of the police station who served for eight years, the officers encountered many difficulties, including skin peeling from bad sunburn, frostbite, sleeping under a moldy blanket for half a month, and hearing bears growling at night. However, the officers remained steadfast in their mission to protect the environment.
To avoid alerting poachers, the officers had to patrol quietly, without making any noise or using flashlights. Officer Yang Zhengqiang recounts an incident where they spotted a fire in the distance and, as they approached, he fell into a deep ditch. When he regained consciousness, he found himself surrounded by graves, and a little further away, there was a cliff.
Despite the challenges, the dedication of generations of forest police officers has paid off. Since 2019, there have been no reports of poaching, indicating that the protection efforts have been effective. Moreover, the villagers in the area have established their own forest protection squad, contributing to the protection of the environment and wildlife in the region.
the Hongtupo forest police officers had to endure difficult living conditions for many years before proper housing was provided. Nevertheless, they remained dedicated to their mission of protecting the environment and wildlife in the region. Their hard work paid off, and poaching cases have decreased to zero since 2019.
Over the years, there has been a significant increase in the number of birds inhabiting the forests. During the migration season, it is a common sight to see flocks of birds soaring high above the treetops, with some even flying directly over people’s heads. The flourishing bird population is a testament to the improving ecosystem in the region.
Liu Yan, a female officer stationed in the area, marvels at the abundance of birds that can be seen on the mountain in October. She describes the sight as “quite splendid.” It is clear that the increase in bird population has not gone unnoticed, and people are starting to appreciate the beauty of these creatures in their natural habitat.
As a result of the growing bird population and the improving ecosystem, the police station in the area has been relocated outside of the forests and into the town. Officers are then dispatched to carry out patrols in the forests during the migration season. This move ensures that the birds are not disturbed by human activities in their habitat, allowing them to continue to thrive and grow in numbers.
The relocation of the police station is a positive step towards the preservation of the forest and its inhabitants. It shows that there is a growing awareness of the importance of preserving the natural environment and the role it plays in sustaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem. The patrols carried out by the officers also serve as a reminder to visitors and locals alike to respect the environment and the creatures that call it home.
In conclusion, the increase in the bird population in the forest is a clear indication of the improving ecosystem in the region. The relocation of the police station and the patrols carried out by the officers are positive steps towards preserving the natural habitat and its inhabitants. It is essential to continue to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the environment and to encourage people to appreciate the beauty of nature