CHENGDU, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The first time 27-year-old Tibetan herdsman Sangji encountered a pack of wolves in the night, it was not fear he felt, but joy.
Sangji was born near the Zoige Wetland in southwest China's Sichuan Province, and has witnessed the gradual return of its flora and fauna over the years.
The wetland has nourished generations of herder families like Sangji's who rely on yak farming in nearby grasslands. For them, the wetland is not just their home, it is their means of subsistence and an emotional sanctuary.
But overgrazing in the 1970s, combined with climate change, led to water depletion in parts of the wetland, resulting in degradation and, in some areas, desertification.
"Sometimes herders need to wear headscarves to guard against dust in the air," Sangji said.
Since the 1990s, the government has taken action to curb this trend.
Small dams have been constructed to intercept and store water, and the livestock number per household is now limited to ensure sustainable grazing, Sangji said.
"Protecting the ecosystem benefits our yak farming," said Sangji, whose parents raise 300 yaks. Over the past two years, they have reduced their herd by more than 40 yaks.
"In the past, overgrazing led to withered grass and lower-quality cattle. Now, reduced herd sizes have improved the quality of both the grass and the cattle, which in turn increased our income," he said.
In 2022, the central government approved Zoige's construction into a national park, placing it under the country's strictest level of protection. And a research station has since been established there to promote wetland conservation both regionally and globally.
The transformation is taking place in Zoige and many other parts of China, which now boasts over 50 million hectares of wetlands and is taking the global lead in number of wetland cities accredited by the Convention on Wetlands.
China is also the biggest tree planter in the world, and will soon be home to the largest national park network globally. The country's initiatives in nature conservation, desertification control and global climate change response have received high acclaim from the United Nations.
Today, the Zoige Wetland has come back to life, once again draped in a vibrant blanket of greenery. Wildlife has returned to this thriving habitat, with black-necked cranes, white storks and wild boars often spotted by locals or tourists.
And for the first time in his life, Sangji has been able to observe wolves in the wetland. "I was not afraid at the time, but was quite joyful," he said of his first encounter with the wild animals. "It means our efforts to restore the wetland are truly making a difference."
"Wetland conservation should not come at the expense of economic development or the livelihoods of herders," said Zhang Wenhao, head of the forestry and grassland bureau of Hongyuan County in Sichuan.
To enhance the livelihoods of local residents, authorities have built warm shelters to help yaks survive the winter and have been promoting advanced yak feeding technologies to boost efficiency. Many herders are now employed as rangers, receiving stable incomes.
Zoige, now well-known for its pastoral charm, is attracting increasing numbers of tourists. Herders have started selling grilled yak skewers and yak yogurt near the wetland as a way to supplement their incomes.
Sangji has begun to run a horseback riding business. While riding leisurely alongside tourists, he enjoys sharing stories about local efforts to restore this "paradise on earth."
"In Zoige, I've felt the beauty of living in harmony with nature," Sangji said. "I hope more people can share this beauty and join our efforts."
(Reporting by Wang Yichuan, Li Ruojia, Zhou Xinyi) ■