Work to start on 2nd phase project of Changtang Nature Reserve

　　A herd of Tibetan wild donkeys run on a grassland of the Changtang National Nature Reserve, northern Tibet. (Xinhua Photo)

　　BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Construction of the second phase of the project to build the Changtang National Nature Reserve in northern Tibet will start in October and is expected for completion in 2010, according to Tibet Business.

　　The second phase construction at a cost of four million yuan (0.48 million U.S. dollars) includes the establishment of a monitoring station, a rescue station for wildlife and animal cages, as well as ten permanent sample plots and ten permanent sample lines.

　　The reserve with an area of 298,000 sq km was set up to give priority protection to rare animals such as Tibetan antelopes, wild donkeys, wild yaks and snow leopards.

　　During the 2001-2004 period, China spent 14 million yuan on the first phase project to build the Changtang Nature Reserve, effectively protecting endangered species. So far, the Tibetan antelope population has shot up to the range of 130,000 to 150,000 from 50,000 to 70,000 in 1995.