Antelope habitat is Heritage contender

A field survey on the habitat of the Tibetan antelope in the Hoh Xil area of China's Qinghai province has started, another step toward its 2017 application as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

The team, consisting of more than 20 experts from various fields, will conduct extensive research on the area's natural resources, biodiversity, and geological and meteorological complexity, said Kang Xuelin, an official from the Qinghai Application for World Heritage office.

"Through the survey, we hope to understand the situation in the planned area for the application, and the heritage value of its natural resources, which will help designate the final area for the application," Kang said on Tuesday.