Chongqing - Zhang Tinggang is a forest ranger in Chongqing Jinfo Mountain National Nature Reserve and has been guarding the green mountains for more than ten years. He is also a villager living in Miaoba Village, Shanwangping Town, Nanchuan District.

Forest ranger Zhang Tinggang patrolled the mountains in Chongqing Jinfo Mountain National Nature Reserve. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Miaoba Village is his hometown and the core protected area of Chongqing Jinfo Mountain National Nature Reserve. 

Through patrolling the forests, Zhang needs to investigate and eliminate the hidden dangers of forest fires, stop illegal activities such as poaching and mining in reserves, and discover and record the rare animals and plants in the area.

Zhang Tinggang checked an infrared camera on his way to patrol the mountain. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

While patrolling the forests, Zhang is also responsible for the publicity of forest protection to the villagers scattered in the mountains. Usually, it takes nearly eight hours to go back and forth on the longest mountain patrol route.

Zhang Tinggang (left) taught villagers how to prevent forest fires. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Chongqing Jinfo Mountain National Nature Reserve currently has 42 forest rangers. With their hard work and the local government, the protection awareness of villagers in the Jinfo Mountain Reserve has been enhanced. 

Zhang Tinggang patrolled the mountains along the road. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Zhang said that although the work of patrolling the mountains is hard, it is his greatest joy and comfort to see that the mountain forest he guards is more vibrant and the number of wild animals and plants has increased.

Zhang Tinggang overlooked the distant mountains. (Photo provided to iChongqing)