Recently, 40 volunteers from across Xinjiang traveled to the Mount Muztagh Ata base camp at an altitude of 4,500 meters to collect trash
Recently, 40 volunteers from across Xinjiang traveled to the Mount Muztagh Ata base camp at an altitude of 4,500 meters, where they collected trash and established a permanent landmark called the “Base Camp Environmental Protection Monument” on Mount Muztagh Ata to witness the continuous environmental efforts of the people of Xinjiang. According to reports, the volunteers were jointly recruited by the Communist Youth League Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Committee, Xinjiang Youth Magazine, and Amway Xinjiang Branch. During the two-day high-altitude environmental cleanup campaign, nearly 40 volunteers from all over Xinjiang overcame symptoms of altitude sickness such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting. They collected more than 700 kilograms of various types of domestic waste, including plastic bags, cardboard boxes, beverage bottles, and beer cans, which were then taken back to Kashgar City for centralized disposal. During the event, the volunteers also visited local herders’ homes to promote environmental awareness. They also engaged in a “one-on-one” care program with local Kyrgyz herder children, and the organizers gifted the children pencil cases, schoolbags, toys, and other educational and sports supplies. The volunteers taught the children how to make paper airplanes, encouraging them to pursue their studies while opening a window for communication with the outside world.
Mount Muztagh Ata, standing at an elevation of 7,546 meters, is located in Bulunku Township, Aketao County, Xinjiang. With its towering, majestic presence, it stands firmly on the Pamir Plateau and is known as the “Father of Ice Mountains.” The mountain is covered in snow year-round, forming glaciers that stretch for hundreds of miles and serve as a vital water source for the vast pastures of the Pamir Plateau. It plays an irreplaceable role in Xinjiang’s natural ecological environment. However, in recent years, the continuous influx of tourists, mountaineers, and alpine skiers from around the world has caused irreversible damage to the fragile ecological environment surrounding this ancient and mysterious mountain. The snowline has been rising continuously, and glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate, serving as nature’s relentless punishment to humanity.