Situated in the north western corner of Yunnan province, Shangri-la is one of the most biologically and culturally rich, but least economically privileged areas of the world. At the heart of the UNESCO world heritage site of the Parallel Rivers (Yangtze, Mekong and Salween), the Greater Shangri-la region is of global ecological importance, not only as the site of some of the earth’s most diverse ecosystems but also as an important resource to much of the population in Asia, who rely on these great rivers for their livelihood.
Hundreds of endemic plants are found in this region, such as the oleander and the indigenous tsi-tog, as are dozens of endemic animal and bird species including several Class I protected: the Yunnan Golden Monkey, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, and Black-necked Crane. Shangri-la is also home to many different ethnic groups and a rich cultural diversity. For generations, many of these ethnic groups including Tibetans, Lisu, Yi and Naxi among others, have lived in harmony with the landscape and natural environment, drawing on indigenous knowledge, traditional practices and Buddhist environmental philosophies. Yet, as Shangri-la begins to open up and develop into an international tourist destination, its communities are faced with serious environmental and economic pressures making the conservation of this region more critical then ever before.
February 2016 | Shangri-la, Yunnan Province, China
