Human element

The Sonam Dargye Station is Hoh Xil's largest. It features a public exhibition room with photos and information about the area and wildlife.

"People used to ask me where they could see antelope," Lhundrub Gyetse says.

"Now, they often see them on the road. We hope more people learn about Hoh Xil. Some are surprised that many people like us and volunteers stay here year-round to protect them."

Winter temperatures can drop below -30 C. So the stations must be heated with coal.

Electricity must come from solar panels. Power outages are common.

Water must be transported from a station at the lowest altitude.

Zhan points out that while life at the stations has improved, especially since 2000, it's still hard.

"But it's worth it," he says.

He earned a few hundred yuan a month in the early years but now takes home over 6,000 yuan ($860).

Zhan is grateful the government has enhanced efforts to protect the region. He hopes such advanced technologies as satellite-remote sensing can assist their work in the future.

"We feel pressure," he says.

"We're responsible. And we need to learn more to do what needs to be done."

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