Global young encounter biodiversity in Qinling Mountains

On November 19, "Discover Shaanxi with Global Young" series activity, sponsored by the Publicity Department of CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee and Shaanxi Media Convergence, organized by CNWEST, set its footstep into the majestic Qinling Mountains. Through the global young's influence in their network, more people can learn about the rescue and breeding achievements of rare wild animals in the Qinling Mountains, and they may also feel the beautiful natural scenery and unique ecological beauty of the north-south boundary ridge in China.

Wild animals, the symbiotic friends of human beings, not only play the critical role of maintaining the ecological balance but also bring people close to nature. Therefore, people have attached much more attention to the importance of conserving biodiversity.

On the day of the event, the global young first came to the Research Center for the Qinling Giant Panda (Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue Base) located in Zhouzhi County, Xi'an City. Established in 1987, the center is one of the three giant panda breeding and research bases in China. There are currently 42 giant pandas. The world's only captive brown giant panda "Qi Zai" also lives here.

In the Giant Panda Pavilion, the childlike giant pandas attracted the attention of the global young, and "Qi Zai", featuring brown-and-white fur, is already an "internet celebrity".

Ahmed Mian Aitazaz (left)  

Upon the introduction of the staff on site, Ahmed Mian Aitazaz, a global young from Pakistan who is now studying at Northwestern Polytechnic University, shared, "What I learnt from the giant panda is that we can still get fat by just being vegetarians, and I was quite impressed by the research conducted and protection arrangements made for giant pandas' wellbeing, thanks to undoubted efforts of the team."

In addition to giant pandas, the park has about 200 ibises, 50 of which are exhibited to the public. There are also 10 snub-nosed golden monkeys, 20 takins, and other rare wildlife.

Elham Mardani (middle)

Elham Mardani, a teacher at Xi'an Liangjiatan International School and a global young from Iran, shared, "After this visit, I learned a lot of information about the protection of the environment and the harmony of the coexistence between humans and nature, especially the rare animals. The efforts of the team here and their protection projects can be used as a model for other countries."

The Qinling Mountains is the dividing line between the north and the south of China, the watershed of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, and the transition zone between the subtropical and warm temperate climates of China, making it a fundamental biological gene pool of the country. In the afternoon, the global young went to the Qinling National Botanical Garden, where they learned about the growth and decline of organisms and witnessed the alternating cycle of life in the Herbarium Pavilion and the Qinba Garden.

The Herbarium Pavilion showcases the rich biodiversity of the Qinling Mountains in all aspects. And in the Qinba Garden, the staff shared their stories in plant conservation with the global young.

Jamil Mudasirm (left)

After experiencing the specimen-making activity at Qinba Garden, Jamil Mudasirm, a global young from Pakistan who is now studying at Northwestern Polytechnic University, shared, "Watching the process of making these plant specimens in person today, I realized that each plant has its own special story."

Thitapa Patanan (left) 

During the sharing session afterwards, Thitapa Patanan, a global young from Thailand, also the consul of the Royal Thai Consulate General in Xi'an, shared, "Today at the Qinling National Botanical Garden, I've learned a lot about the biodiversity of Qinling Mountains, also increasing my awareness of environmental protection. I think all of us here will come back with a refreshing understanding."

Nowadays, the Qinling National Botanical Garden has become a model for conserving the Qinling Mountains, as well as a solid base and window to the public for plant and animal conservation and science education.