Fund means herders no longer need to cry wolf
Source: Xinhua |
November 14, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CERING Gava just watched as a wolf attacked his sheep, claiming the life of a sixth lamb lost to wolves this year.
The Tibetan herdsman, living in Nagqu, 4,700 meters above sea level, stayed remarkably calm. It is not easy for wolves to survive the winter, he said, not bothering to take up his club and chase after the predator.
Gava could afford to let the wolf escape because of a government scheme which has changed farmers' attitudes.
In 2006, the Chinese government, in a bid to protect wildlife in remote areas, introduced a compensation scheme which lessened the need for herdsmen to kill them.
Five years on, 59.88 million yuan (US$9.4 million) has been earmarked in Tibet to compensate for wild animal attacks, according to the regional forestry bureau.
"The government's fund compensates based on the market price of livestock," Gava said. "The last time I lost a sheep, I got enough to buy 10 lambs and stuff to fix the sheep pen."
The policy helps preserve the wild animal population, including brown bears, wolves and yak, that live on the plateau, animal protection officials said.
The Tibetan herdsman, living in Nagqu, 4,700 meters above sea level, stayed remarkably calm. It is not easy for wolves to survive the winter, he said, not bothering to take up his club and chase after the predator.
Gava could afford to let the wolf escape because of a government scheme which has changed farmers' attitudes.
In 2006, the Chinese government, in a bid to protect wildlife in remote areas, introduced a compensation scheme which lessened the need for herdsmen to kill them.
Five years on, 59.88 million yuan (US$9.4 million) has been earmarked in Tibet to compensate for wild animal attacks, according to the regional forestry bureau.
"The government's fund compensates based on the market price of livestock," Gava said. "The last time I lost a sheep, I got enough to buy 10 lambs and stuff to fix the sheep pen."
The policy helps preserve the wild animal population, including brown bears, wolves and yak, that live on the plateau, animal protection officials said.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
