Protecting Qinling Mountains is a priority in Xi'an

Apart from Shaanxi's regulations on protecting the ecological environment in Qinling that were enacted and implemented last year, city-level regulations are being revised and will take effect in July.

"In addition, the city government is making an all-around plan to ensure that the protection of Qinling becomes the norm," Li noted.

Law enforcement has been strengthened, with 1,194 illegal agritourism villas demolished or shut down. On that basis, a restoration of the ecological system in the mountains is underway and includes the planting of trees, the overhaul of mines and small hydropower projects.

"These measures have helped the mountains become more beautiful with lucid waters and lush mountains," Li said.

To ensure vast coverage of the protection measures, Li said smart environmental protection stations have been established in the mountains, employing modern technologies such as information and digital systems and unmanned aerial vehicles to detect fires or improper behavior by tourists that harm the environment.

"In the meantime, we call on local people and volunteers to join in the campaign of protecting the Qinling Mountains," he said. "A four-layer protection system that involves 1,112 workers has been set up."