Rainforest brings gibbons back from edge of extinction

Scenic road

Within the core protection zone of the national park, there are a total of 470 households comprising 1,885 indigenous residents. As of today, ecological relocation has been carried out for 466 households, involving 1,870 individuals, achieving a relocation progress rate of 99 percent. The park held 10 mining rights, all of which have now been relinquished.

"Hainan is dedicated to establishing a model for national park construction, engaging in numerous exploratory and innovative endeavors. The integration of the national park and surrounding communities has paved a path toward ecological beauty, industrial prosperity, and rural vitalization," said Zhou.

Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park Scenic Road encircling the park was opened for traffic on Dec 29. Spanning about 466 kilometers, the tourist road follows the layout of the park, passing through nine cities and counties. The road links several natural reserves, resembling a green ribbon that connects the scenic mountainous regions in the central and southern parts of Hainan island.

Ma Shijie, chief engineer of the Department of Transport of Hainan Province, said construction on this tourist road project commenced on Dec 28, 2022. The road's construction incorporates environmentally friendly materials and technologies, creating 612 wildlife passages to allow for a return to nature approach, promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Zou Xianfeng, president of the Provincial Tourism Association said that the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park possesses unique ecological resources and world-class biodiversity, serving as a crucial pillar for the comprehensive tourism development in Hainan.

"We aim to accelerate the development of the tourism industry in the central counties of Hainan province," he said.

chenbowen@chinadaily.com.cn