Situated in China’s southeast region of Sichuan, the panda sanctuaries comprise Wolong Nature Reserve, Mount Siguniang, and liajin Mountains. Spanning more than 9,000 sq km., the area holds within itself seven nature reserves. The sanctuaries make up the largest remaining contiguous habitat of the giant panda. In fact, the region is also a very important place for the captive breeding of this mammal, listed as “vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Since the panda’s habitat is fragmented, the area is protected and has green corridors that not only help in the safe movement of these mammals within established boundaries but also play a role in avoiding in-breeding. The area is botanically very signicant too for the rich diversity it exhibits- a whopping 5,000 species at least – from magnolias and bamboos to rhododendrons and orchids! This very diversity is what makes it valuable in welcoming several species of mammals, reptiles, and birds to the region. In 2006, the property was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, at least two pandas at the Wolong Panda Centre within the reserve lost their lives. The Reserve, situated as it was near the epicentre of the quake, was severely damaged. However, despite fears, several pregnant pandas (including one that was injured during the quake) at the Centre went on to deliver healthy cubs.
Wildlife
Though the focal species of the sanctuaries is the giant panda, the place also houses endangered animals such as the red panda, the snow leopard, and the clouded leopard. It nurtures more than a 100 mammal species and 300 bird species, many of which are said to breed locally. The animals also include deer, golden monkey, and gnu. Among the bird species that can be spotted here are partridges, snipes, monals, thrushes, finches, rubythroats, pheasants, cuckoos, accentors, robins, tragopans, vultures, sparrowhawks, griffons, buzzards, tits, leaf warblers, fulvettas, yuhinas, nuthatches, and pipits.
Threats
The region holds about a third of the world’s total panda population. and so is very crucial for the species. But it is faced with several kinds of threats. In addition to the grave threat of climate change, direct human actions are a cause of concern.
Habitat loss and fragmentation: A large portion of panda’s natural habitats has been lost to agriculture and infrastructure development. When their living area shrinks, the animals face the risk of infection and in-breeding too.
Loss of bamboo: Roads and railway lines cutting through forests not just alienate sections of the panda population, but also result in bamboo die-offs. Bamboo is an integral part of panda diet, and sustained and large-scale loss of bamboo could lead to severe food deficit for the pandas.
Logging: Logging in the sanctuaries was banned as early as 1998. However, a two-year investigation by a non-government environmental organisation a few years ago revealed that logging continued in the region illegally, using loopholes in the country’s regulations. The investigation also revealed that more than 3,000 acres of natural forests within the sanctuaries were wiped off.
Harvesting: Herbs are an important part of traditional Chinese medicine, and so people harvesting such herbs in the sanctuaries degrade the forests during the process. In addition, people harvest bamboo, and also gather firewood, leaving the region more vulnerable to degradation.
Picture Credit : Google
