The officials called for the establishment of the fund as soon as possible to improve the harmonious coexistence of the people and wildlife and protect rare animals in a more reasonable way at the Shuanghu zone which was designated as a natural reserve in 1984.

The Shuanghu zone covers a total area of 120,000 square kilometers with a population of only 9,000, which has become home to more than 50,000 wild yaks, over 100,000 heads of Tibetan antelopes and Mongolian gazelles, 30,000-40,000 wild asses and about 1,000 black bears. Among them, the Tibetan ass or kiang, wild yaks and Tibetan antelopes are rare animals.

The wild animals are well protected by local people under strict rules set by the authorities of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

However, they pose a danger to local people, often attacking inhabited areas, demolishing housing, devastating pastures and sometimes killing humans and livestock.

According to rough statistics provided by local forest police, over the past nine years wildlife attacks have cost local herdsmen1 million yuan (US$120,480) in loss, and left two people dead and 45 injured.

To both safeguard the legitimate interest of the local people and better protect wildlife in the natural reserve, local officials have called for the establishment of the special fund to provide compensation for the victims.

Currently, Tibet boasts 18 natural reserves at the state and autonomous region levels, covering an area of 330,000 square kilometers, about 27 percent of Tibet's total territory. The primary task of these reserves is the preservation of biodiversity, including 6,800 species of plants and 799 species of wild vertebrates.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2002)