Conservation and Exploitation of Wildlife

Wildlife is an important component part in nature's ecosystem and a kind of natural resources that can be rejuvenated. Humankind has a long history of exploiting wildlife and accumulated a lot of experiences in this respect. We cannot do without wildlife in our daily life, in our research work, and in literature, art and many other aspects.

Xishuang Banna prefecture is rich in wildlife resources. Quite a number of species are of high economic value and very useful in scientific research. As a large potential fortune, they are well worth exploitation and utilization in the future time.

1. Rare species of wildlife under protection

According to "The List of Rare Species of Wildlife Under State Protection" issued by Ministry of Forestry and Ministry of Agriculture of China on January 1st, 1989, the wildlife under protection are divided into two categories in the light of each species' rarity and economic value. In Xishuang Banna, altogether 109 species are listed as the wildlife understate protection belonging to the first and second categories.

The first category includes 19 species, such as five rare species of monkeys, clouded leopard, leopard, Indo-Chinese tiger, Asian elephant, Indo-Chinese wild buffalo, Java wild buffalo, red-neck crane, giant lizard,boa, etc.

The second category includes 90 species, such as two rare species of monkeys, pangolin, jackal, black bear, zibet, giant gecko, jungle fowl, three rare species of otters and a number of rare species of eagles, falcons, vultures, kites, turtledoves, parrots, swans, hornbills, etc.

2. Rational exploitation of wildlife

Fishes:

Fleshy and delicious, fishes occupy an important position in game foods. As a result, they are the main hunting targets of human beings.

There are altogether 100 kinds of fishes, most of which are useful to man, both as food or for economic exploitation. Owing to the mild climate and teperate water temperature, fish-breeding industry is developing very fast in recent years. The main species include grass carp, silver carp, variegated carp, soft-shelled turtle, etc., yield per mu normally reaches 300-400 kilos. So the yearly output of fishes of the whole area amounts to 230 tons at least.

Insects:

Xishuang Banna is abundant in insects. Many species are edible and pleasure to the eye. But only a few species have already been exploited, such as pupas, larvae and honey of the wild bee; ants and their eggs, which have become the delicious food on people's dinning table. It is predictable that more and more species of insects (such as butterflies, moths and other unexploited kinds of ants) will be made into specialties of Xishuang Banna with the development of local tourism and food processing industry.

Beasts:

Xishuang Banna is also abundant in beasts. They are of high value for food industry, medical use and scientific research.

As they are comparatively large in bodily form, providing big quantities of meat, the beasts have long been the main prey hunted by human beings. The most common species include the deer family, the wild pig family, the bamboo rat family, the hare family, the porcupine family, the squirrel family, the pangolin family and some carnivorous animals. Among them, the muntjacs of the deer family are best exploited. Statistics show that the prefecture purchases about 18,500 furs of muntjacs per year. Presuming that one head of muntjac can provide 10 kilos of meat, the 18,500 heads of muntjac will provide185,000 kilos of meat for local people. Hence this species has a considerable economic value. Statistics also show that the prefecture's yearly output value of furs totals 147,000 Yuan, only 4.4% of that of Yunnan province. Besides, resources of birds' feather are yet to be exploited.

To use animals in traditional Chinese medicine has a long history in China. According to an unfinished investigation, at least more than 100 species in Xishuang Banna can be used as medicines. Quite a number of them are of high medical value. In traditional Dai medicine, 37 species of animals are used.

Furthermore, wildlife are of high academic, economic and ornamental values in scientific experiments and art.

3. Protection of wildlife

Xishuang Banna owns the largest quantity of tropical wildlife in China, with a feature of rarity and preciousness. Since ancient times, the locals have cultivated the tradition of protecting and rationally exploiting wildlife resources. They adopts a lot of measures to do this. The Dai nationality has such an old saying: "In this world, forest provide water, water irrigate the fields, the fields yield grain, and grain feed human." On the basis of this pure ecological point of view, the Dai people look upon the forest and water surrounding their stockaded villages as the gods incarnate, and protect them carefully. They have the tradition of planting trees for firewood and hunting only in season. Besides, they regard elephants, green peacocks, hornbills, monkeys and deers as their totems to worship. In their eyes, these animals represent strength, luck, wisdom and love. As a result, the locals have been giving them a special care.

To protect wild animal and plant resources of the area, Chinese government established four nature preservation zones in Xishuang Banna in 1958. Since1980, these nature preservation zones have been gradually adjusted and enlarged, and a special administrative institution was established. In 1987,Xishuang Banna Administrative Bureau of State Nature Preservation Zone was set up, its subsidiary organizations strengthened, laying a solid foundation for the protection and management of wildlife. Since 1980s, the authorities concerned have done quite a lot of work, including publicizing policies, educating the masses, and investigating cases of hunting rare animals unlawfully and prosecuting the criminals concerned. Furthermore, many wild animals in distress have been saved. As a result, the quantity and distribution area of quite a number of rare animals in Xishuang Banna prefecture, such as elephants, buffaloes and green peacocks, is restored and enlarged.

Today, more and more people come to realize that human beings and wildlife are an inseparable whole in nature and the former must rely on the latter in many respects of live. In order to protect our environment so as to live well on this planet, we have no choice but to well preserve our wildlife resources.