Protecting Wetlands 1

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26 years ago, a herdsman, named Bilige Batu, came to a wetland in Kerqin in the northeast of Inner Mongolia. This was a good pasture his father chose for him. Back then, water and grass was in abundant supply here. The grass was even higher than the horse's girth.

But now, this wetland has become very dry. In 1985, a nature reserve was set up in Kerqin. This herdsman’s ranch is located at its core. His family should have moved out of this protected zone, but because his ranch was established before the nature reserve was set up, his family was allowed to continue to stay there. Bilige Batu is now 50 years old. He has witnessed the changes of this wetland.

In 1998, Kerqin and many other places in China suffered from a large flood. Since then, this place seems to have entered a 10-year drought cycle. In the past, annual rainfall here could reach 300 – 400 millimeters, but in recent years, it is only 100 -200 millimeters, sometimes even less than 100 millimeters. Most of lakes in the nature reserve have become dry. Grass has become very rare here. Grazing isn’t allowed in the core of the nature reserve, so Bilige Batu has to raise his sheep in captivity. In the past, his sheep could enjoy the morning dew on the blades of grass when they grazed, but now they can only eat dry feed. Therefore, before feeding, the sheep must drink some water. Due to the extreme lack of food, Bilige Batu has been forced to sell more than 500 sheep and over 30 cattle.

In the past, Bilige Batu could often see large wild animals and birds near his house. But now, they have disappeared.

Kerqin National Nature Reserve is located in a transition zone from arid and semi-arid areas, to humid areas in northeastern China. It has a unique natural landscape, having vast grasslands, wetlands, sand dunes, elm forests and hills. Many species of cranes and storks choose to inhabit there, including 8 species of China’s national first-class protected birds, such as Red-crowned Crane, Siberian Crane and Hooded Crane, and 29 species of China’s national second-class protected birds, such as White-naped Crane and Demoiselle Crane. Unlike other wetlands, there aren’t vast areas of water here. But beside the reed marshes grow many elm trees. This unique ecological condition provides an ideal breeding space for Oriental white storks, a very rare species of bird.