CPPCC Member Lei Jufang: Establish a Tibetan Medicine Resource Conservation Zone

　　The protection of traditional Chinese medicine resources is urgently needed. On the afternoon of March 2, Tibet Qizheng Tibetan Medicine Co., Ltd. held a symposium in Beijing titled “2016 National Two Sessions: A Proposal on Establishing a Tibetan Medicinal Herb Resource Conservation Zone.” Lei Jufang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairwoman of Tibet Qizheng Tibetan Medicine Co., Ltd., told Caixin reporters that she proposed establishing a Tibetan medicinal herb resource conservation zone centered on Nanyi Gou in Linzhi, Tibet, while also adopting a comprehensive, multi-point layout spanning from the high-altitude Ali region to the low-altitude Motuo area based on ecological characteristics.

　　Lei Jufang expressed her hope that the Tibetan medicine resource conservation area could be designated as a key project under the 13th Five-Year Plan for ecological protection and restoration. “The core area covers more than 3,000 mu, with an additional 30,000 to 40,000 mu planned for future development. The value and significance of this initiative have already gone beyond mere economic pursuits by enterprises, and we sincerely hope to receive support and assistance from the national government.”

　　Tibet boasts 2,436 species of Tibetan medicinal resources, including 2,172 plant species, 214 animal species, and 50 mineral species. At the same time, however, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is also one of China’s most ecologically fragile regions. Lei Jufang pointed out that, along with the rapid development of the Tibetan medicine industry, there has been a surge in the exploitative extraction of certain Tibetan medicinal resources, leading to a year-on-year depletion of some medicinal resources and even placing them on the brink of extinction. This poses a serious challenge to the sustainable development of the Tibetan medicine industry. Moreover, currently both domestically and internationally, efforts to protect Tibetan medicinal resources remain extremely weak; there is still no dedicated institution for the protection of Tibetan medicines nor any designated protected areas for Tibetan medicinal resources.

　　The Tibetan region serves as a convergence point for the Southern Himalayan flora, the Eastern Tibetan flora, the Yarlung Tsangpo River Valley flora, and the Tanggut flora, boasting rich and diverse plant resources. Milin County in Nyingchi City is located in the southeastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region and features a plateau temperate subhumid monsoon climate. The annual average temperature is 8.2°C, with annual precipitation reaching 641 millimeters and abundant sunshine. With a forest area of 4.8 million mu, Milin County is a natural treasure trove of plant and Tibetan medicinal resources, home to more than 360 commonly used Tibetan medicinal herbs.

　　“Establishing a Tibetan medicine resource conservation area is essential for protecting the natural environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,” believes Lei Jufang. By setting up such a conservation area, we can enhance our capacity for research and development of Tibetan medicine resources, promote the cultivation and protection of wild and semi-wild Tibetan medicinal herbs, and simultaneously advance large-scale, standardized cultivation practices. This will enable us to use Tibetan medicine resources effectively and rationally, reduce the overexploitation of precious wild resources, minimize human-induced environmental damage, and create conditions for both the environment’s self-recovery and human-assisted restoration efforts.

　　Lei Jufang suggests the following four measures: First, implement in-situ conservation by establishing a core protection zone for Tibetan medicinal resources in Nanyigou, Linzhi, Tibet. Second, carry out ex-situ conservation by conducting wild cultivation and artificial propagation to protect rare, endangered Tibetan medicinal species and important large-scale medicinal plants in regions including Linzhi, Ali, Shannan, and Chayu in Tibet. Third, advance ex-vitro conservation efforts by establishing a germplasm bank and a gene bank for Tibetan medicinal materials, preserving seeds, tissues, organs, DNA, and other organs or tissues of endangered or endemic Tibetan medicinal resources. On this basis, conduct research on germplasm resources, wild cultivation, semi-wild cultivation, conversion from wild to cultivated, domestication, introduction of species from other regions, and development of substitutes for rare and endangered Tibetan medicinal resources. This will not only prevent species degradation but also rapidly expand population sizes, thereby promoting the protection, optimized regeneration, and sustainable utilization of rare and endangered Tibetan medicinal resources. Fourth, building upon the conservation of Tibetan medicinal resources, comprehensively develop and utilize these resources to drive low-carbon economic development in Linzhi, Tibet. Create an industrial park integrating three key sectors: resource industries, natural product and health-care product manufacturing and processing, and eco-friendly leisure tourism. This park will serve multiple functions, including resource collection and preservation, health-oriented resort tourism, production and R&D of health products, talent cultivation, and science popularization and education.

　　Lei Jufang said, “Currently, the Tibetan medicine industry faces numerous challenges, such as insufficient efforts in resource conservation, which pose difficulties for sustainable development; a lack of innovation in Tibetan medicine products, leading to serious obsolescence; and non-standardized preparation and usage guidelines for Tibetan medicines, making it difficult to ensure product quality. By establishing Tibetan medicine resource protection zones, we can promote the development and utilization of Tibetan medicine products, drive the sustainable development of the Tibetan medicine industry, and achieve regional economic prosperity.”

　　Reporting media: Caixin Media

　　Report link: http://topics.caixin.com/2016-03-02/100915067.html