Giant Panda Conservation at Wanglamg Nature Reserve

Wanglang Reserve contains some of the last remaining primary forests in Sichuan Province, towering fir and cedar trees up to 5-600 years old. The Reserve’s steep-sided valleys (elevations range from 2,300 to 4,980 m/7,500 to 16,300 ft), rimmed by craggy, snow-topped granite summits, support forests of mixed spruce, fir,
larch, pines, red and white birch, cedar, and rhododendrons, with undergrowth of ferns, bamboo, and shrubs.

Meadows abound with grasses and seasonal flowers including varieties of wild roses, primula, gentians, peony, dandelion, mock orange, chokeberry, chrysanthemum, etc. Up to 40 varieties of Rhododendron are found, at their peak of bloom in April to June. Altogether, plants of 97 families, 196 genus, and 615 species are found in the area. Many varieties of wild mushrooms, medicinal herbs and wild vegetables have been identified, some with economic value. Wanglang has one of the highest numbers of mushroom varieties of anywhere in China.

Wanglang is engaged in an experiment in ecotourism development. Working with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), advised by Trip Leader Wendy Brewer Lama, Wanglang hosts a small number of ecotourists and guides them in search of traces of the Giant Panda. Visitors’ stays at the Reserve help generate funds for Panda conservation.

Just outside Wanglang – named as “place for grazing sheep” – reside the Baima people, traditionally livestock herders and more recently living off timber resources. Since the banning of timber harvesting several years ago, the Baima have begun hosting international ecotourists and domestic cultural visitors to their large, ornate wooden homes. Their distinctive colorful dress, hand-made felt hat with a white cock feather, and love of song and dance enrich the visitor’s experience.

With assistance from WWF and Wanglang Reserve, Baima villagers have now taken up tourism as an alternative livelihood to logging (which was banned by government). Ecotourism raises village awareness about the value of Panda conservation, and of maintaining their cultural heritage. Villagers host tourists in traditional home-stays, and perform elaborate group dances, representing their spiritual beliefs and legends.