China has two new UNESCO biosphere reserves, Daqingshan Biosphere Reserve and Zhouzhi Biosphere Reserve, a recognition of their ecological importance.
UNESCO announced on September 27 that it has designated 26 new global biosphere reserves, including the two in China.
Located in the Yinshan Mountains in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Daqingshan Biosphere Reserve, covering nearly 3,900 square kilometers, has the greatest biodiversity in the Yinshan Mountains. It is home to about 1,179 higher plant species, 300 types of vertebrates and 1,800 types of insects and other bugs.
Located in the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province, Zhouzhi Biosphere Reserve, around 690 square kilometers in area, has a forestry coverage rate of 96 percent with abundant plant and animal resources, including endangered species like giant pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys and takins, also known as gnu goats.
Launched in 1971, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program aims to find a balanced way to promote sustainable social and economic development while protecting natural resources. There are now 785 UNESCO biosphere reserves worldwide.
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