Ejin Populus Euphratica National Nature Reserve

Ejin Populus Euphratica National Nature Reserve

The Ejin Populus Euphratica National Nature Reserve is a national-level nature reserve.

In 1992, with the approval of the People's Government of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the "Qidaoqiao Populus Euphratica Forest Nature Reserve in Ejin Banner" was established. It was renamed the "Ejin Banner Populus Euphratica Forest Nature Reserve" in 1999. On January 28, 2003, with the approval of the State Council, the Ejin Banner Populus Euphratica Forest Nature Reserve was promoted to a national-level nature reserve and renamed the "Inner Mongolia Ejin Populus Euphratica National Nature Reserve." The Inner Mongolia Ejin Populus Euphratica National Nature Reserve aims primarily to protect the oasis ecosystem, species gene pool, and Gobi oasis landscape centered around the natural Populus euphratica forest. It serves as a multifunctional reserve integrating natural conservation, production, scientific research, education, and tourism. Its main conservation targets are the Populus euphratica plant communities, rare and endangered animal and plant species, desert-oasis forest ecosystems, and their biodiversity.

Ejin Banner is located in the northern frontier of the country, at the westernmost end of Alxa League in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It borders Alxa Right Banner to the east, Jinta County of Gansu Province to the south, Beimongolian Autonomous County of Gansu Province to the west, and Mongolia to the north. The Ejin Populus Euphratica National Nature Reserve is situated in the central part of Ejin Banner—the Ejin Oasis—west of Dalaihubu Town, the seat of the Ejin Banner government, and north of Lake Juyanhai. Its geographical coordinates are 41°30′–42°07′ N latitude and 101°03′–101°17′ E longitude. The administrative area includes parts of Dalaihubu Town, Bayantaolai Sumu, and Sube’ne’er Sumu, covering a total area of 26,253 hectares. Of this, the core zone spans 8,774 hectares, accounting for 33.4% of the total area; the buffer zone covers 10,018 hectares, or 38.2%; and the experimental zone encompasses 7,461 hectares, making up 28.4%. The main vegetation formations within the Inner Mongolia Ejin Populus Euphratica National Nature Reserve consist of natural forests primarily formed by Populus euphratica and Tamarix, among which the Populus euphratica forest covers 7,835 hectares, approximately 30% of the Populus euphratica forest in the Ejin Oasis. It is one of the three largest Populus euphratica forest regions in the world and the only arboreal forest area in the western desert region of Inner Mongolia.

The management body of the Inner Mongolia Ejin Populus Euphratica National Nature Reserve is the Administration Bureau of the Inner Mongolia Ejin Populus Euphratica National Nature Reserve (hereinafter referred to as the "Bureau"). According to the "Notice on Issuing the 'Five-Fix' Plan for the Administration Bureau of the Ejin Populus Euphratica National Nature Reserve" (Ejijizhuanfa [2004] No. 23), the Bureau is a quasi-department-level public institution under the Ejin Banner People's Government. It currently has 25 staff members, including one director and one deputy director. Internal departments include the Social Affairs Division, Resource Conservation and Scientific Research & Education Division, Finance Division, Office, as well as the Qidaoqiao Management Station and Wusumu Management Station—all of which are fully operational. With the care and attention of various levels of government and through careful planning and arrangement, the Bureau has actively carried out and completed the infrastructure construction projects for the first and second phases of the reserve. The investment for these two phases was 9.51 million yuan and 6.75 million yuan, respectively. Through years of infrastructure development, conservation, and management, large areas of natural Populus euphratica forests and wildlife resources within the reserve have been effectively protected, reducing human interference and damage, and promoting greater biodiversity. At the same time, the reserve’s infrastructure has been further strengthened, working conditions significantly improved, the environment revitalized, and its social influence notably enhanced.

Dalaihubu Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Ejin Banner and the seat of the Banner government. "Dalaihubu" is a transliteration from Mongolian, meaning "abyss like the ocean." The town was established in 1959, covering an area of 35 square kilometers with a population of 10,000. It administers five neighborhood committees: Xincun, Jirigalangtu, Sube’ne’er, Saihantala, and Jutinglu. Local enterprises are engaged in commerce, construction, transportation, and food services. The main agricultural products are vegetables, and livestock includes pigs and sheep. There is also a China-Mongolia barter trade market. In 1993, the autonomous region awarded it the title of "Civilized Town." ... Detailed information about Dalaihubu Town++