China’s Tianmu Mountain reserve tackles modern conservation amid religious tradition

The Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve in eastern China expanded in 2025 from 4,300 to 54,700 hectares, becoming the Tianmushan-Qingliangfeng UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve — the first expansion of its kind in China. The area shelters endangered species including the Chinese pangolin, black muntjac, and Tianmu ironwood, alongside ancient Ginkgo biloba trees.

For centuries, Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian traditions enforced informal rules against forest destruction; now a 10-year state management plan governs the zone, developed with input from 47,340 residents across 41 villages. Officials cite a 2001 lawsuit over land-use restrictions as part of the historical friction the co-management approach aims to resolve.

The reserve bureau's publicity chief credits lingering spiritual belief for keeping the mountain intact, while also steering young residents toward ecotourism and homestays over farming. Meanwhile scientists are tracking pine wilt disease and a climate-driven shift toward lower-altitude evergreen species encroaching on the forest.

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