Ecological Environment

Over the past 70 years since the founding of the PRC, environmental protection in Shaanxi has evolved from simple to complex, from local to overall. Since the 18th National Congress of CPC, Shaanxi has earnestly upheld the new economic and social development concepts of clear waters and lush mountains being invaluable assets, actively promoted green and circular development, made remarkable achievements in energy conservation and consumption reduction, continuously strengthened environmental governance capacity, and significantly improved environmental quality.

In recent years, Shaanxi continues to strengthen environmental protection to ingrain the concept of clear water and lush mountains is invaluable. Especially, the insistence on the comprehensive implementation of river chief system dominated the ecological management policy. The plan for the implementation of the river chief system at the provincial, municipal, county and township levels was rolled out. The pilot project to determine the property rights of Weihe River is progressed steadily. Shaanxi will resolutely protect the blue sky, clear water, pure land and green mountains, and in particular protect the Qinling Mountains, an important national ecological buffer zone, to make the sky bluer, mountains greener and water cleaner.

As one of the world's most threatened ibis species, crested ibis is listed as an endangered animal on the IUCN Red List. As an endemic specie in China, it is a first-grade state protection animal. Crested ibis, known as the "Oriental Jewel", was previously thought to be extinct in China until May 1981 when only seven ibises were seen in Yangxian County, Shaanxi, causing quite a stir both at home and abroad. At that time, Qinling Mountains became the only place with exiting wild ibises in the world which is of great international importance and special significance.

In 1986, under the approval of Shaanxi People's Government, Shaanxi Crested Ibis Observation Station was established for the bird's protection. Shaanxi Crested Ibis Nature Reserve was also founded in 2001. In addition, Shaanxi Hanzhong National Nature Reserve, with the approval of the State Council, was established in July 2005, with an area of 37,549 square meters and forestry coverage of 65.6%. It is the only reserve boasting captive and wild crested ibises in the world, known as one of the best ecological regions on the earth at the same latitude.

The distribution area of crested ibis has spread now from Yangxian County to 15 counties of Hanzhong, Ankang, Baoji and Tongchuan with a total of area of 14,000 square meters, reflecting the harmony between the humans and nature, enabling crested ibis an icon of ecology.

With the support of the national strategy of establishing park-oriented nature protection zones, Shaanxi Crested Ibis Nature Reserve will advance continuously the scientific protection and rational use of natural resources as well as the coordinated development of protection zones and region in the future, driving Shaanxi into a new stage in ecological civilization.