Taxkorgan County, located in the Tadzhik prefecture of northwest
China's
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has unveiled bold plans to
develop its local economy by scientifically tapping its rich
ecological resources.
Ongoing strategies for developing China's western areas offer
attractive opportunities for developing the area's local economy,
according to Liu Jun, deputy secretary of the county committee of
the Communist Party of China.
With an area of 25,000 square km, the county is located on the
Pamir Plateau, which has an average elevation of 4,000 meters.
Harsh natural conditions have brought suffering to the 32,000
residents who have lived in poverty for decades.
In
recent years, the local government has invited environmental
experts from Beijing and Urumqi to evaluate its ecological
resources and help design a balanced plan to boost the area's
sluggish economy while not destroying its ecological
environment.
After careful research, the experts concluded that, since the
county boasts rich water resources, tapping and producing mineral
water, hot springs water and glacier water would be good ways for
the county to develop an ecology-friendly economy.
Records show the county - located between 8,611-metre-high Qogir
Peak and Muztagata Mountain, the "father of the glacier"- could tap
10 million tons of glacier water, 300,000 tons of mineral water and
100,000 tons of hot springs water annually.
Because the water is rich in minerals, it could help sufferers from
diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, according to
experts.
Both domestic and overseas companies have shown great interest in
tapping the area's water resources, and many have already signed
contracts with the local government to work jointly on such
projects.
The tourism industry is another focus for future development. The
area's snow-capped mountains, magnificent glaciers, clear skies and
the ancient "Silk Road"
have attracted a large number of tourists.
Since 1995, the number of tourists has increased 12 percent
annually. In 2000, the total number of tourists exceeded 80,000,
primarily from other provinces of China, Pakistan, Japan, France
and Germany.
(China
Daily January 21, 2002)