Nearly every day for the past six years, Shen Minggang has patrolled forests in Qishuya village of Yezhou township in Jianshi county, Enshi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture in Hubei province.

Walking an average of 2,800 kilometers a year in areas near the village, the 53-year-old forest ranger is responsible for the management and protection of forest resources, publicizing forest laws and regulations and forest fire prevention.

Covering a vast area, the village is divided into 14 groups, with mountains separated by a river, so every time Shen goes on patrol, he has to take a boat across the water.

He usually set out for the forest before 8 am and returns at about 8 pm, carrying some food and water for lunch.