This State-grade nature reserve
consists of Nyilha Zangbo River Valley Nature Reserve,
Deyang Gully Reserve Spot for Takins and the Burjun Nature
Reserve for Tropical Rain Forest, with the aim of protecting
the complete comprehensive natural ecological system.
The water surface at the lower reaches of the Yarlung
Zangbo River in this reserve is only several hundred meters
above sea level, but other places within 40 kilometers
from it can form a drop of several thousand meters with
it. As a result, in a relatively short distance, natural
scenery and species range from tropical to frigid, forming
a great treasuretrove of genes of various species. It
contains almost all vegetation types from the frigid zone
in the North Pole to the tropical zone in Hainan, the
southernmost province of China. No people live on the
reserve, although the locals hunt, but many cliffs and
rapids in the reserve have formed natural obstacles against
human attempts to enter. Besides, there are special administrative
offices on the edge of the reserve, so the primitive conditions
are intact.
| The Nyela Zangbo River
Valley is the major part of the Great Yalung Zangbo
Canyon Nature Reserve, containing many species,
special geological structures and traces of ancient
glaciers. It has intact natural vegetation in primitive
conditions. The complicated natural conditions have
resulted in rich flora resources, including many
rare species. In recent years, new species have
been continuously found. The higher plants already
found number 3,000, accounting for over half of
all the species of plants all over Tibet. There
are 21 rare plants under special State protection,
and over 40 plants up to the "model standard"
are named after Medog. The dense forest in the reserve
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The Great
Yalung Zangbo River |
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a paradise for wild animals, which range from tropical
to frigid species. Some of them are rare species peculiar
to this area.
According to a rough estimate, over 40 species are rare
animals under State protection. The reserve is called
"natural zoo."
The Burjun Lake Nature Reserve is located 30 kilometers
south of the Nyelha Zangbo River Valley Nature Reserve,
covering an area of over 100 hectares. The surrounding
mountains are not steep. The lake is like a brilliant
gem inlaid in the tropical evergreen latifoliate forest.
The jade green lake water and the mountains add radiance
and beauty to each other, forming a charming scene. Because
of the lake, this place is humid all year, with tropical
and subtropical plants growing luxuriantly on mountains
slopes, and wild animals moving about. Throughout the
year, monkeys' cries and birds' chirping are heard. There
is a great variety of birds, among which is the toucan
with a brown neck, a tropical bird under first-grade State
protection. This is also the place where, it is said,
the Abominable Snowman used to haunt.
The Deyang Gully Nature Reserve for takins is located
50 kilometers south of the Nyelha Zangbo River Valley
Nature Reserve, with the Nugong River running through
it from north to southeast. Its eastern and western bounds
are the outer sides of the planking mountain ridges. In
winter, most of the places higher than 4,000 meters above
sea level are covered with thick snow. On the eastern
and western sides, ice and snow sliding down from the
mountains form "ice walls." The only pass, at
the northeast corner by the Yarlung Zangbo River, forms
a natural hopper. This reserve is a haven for takins. |
