Qinghai province, located in Northwestern China, has carried out various measures to ensure that China's first national park in the Sanjiangyuan area could be opened on schedule in 2020. The great efforts to set up the pilot national park in the Sanjiangyuan area aims to protect the ecological environment in Qinghai.
It is the first pilot program for China’s national park system. With a total area of 123,100 square kilometers, it will be established on the regions around the water sources, covering five sub-areas of conservation including Kekexili National Nature Reserve and Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve. With the aim of protecting the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang (Mekong) rivers, it is scheduled by 2020 to officially become China's first national park administered by the central government.
According to a plan issued by the National Development and Reform Commission in January, by 2020, the national park would take shape as a demonstration zone of ecological protection and restoration on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and a natural conservation zone of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. By then, it will also be a pioneer zone on which the human and nature could co-exist harmoniously. By 2025, the country shall have formed unique national park services, as well as management and research systems.
The ultimate goal of establishing the national park in Sanjiangyuan area is to set a good example for other areas in China in respects of eco-protection and institutional innovation. Besides, the national park which is characterized by modernization will also provide references for other parks.