First ecological police workstations start patrols on the Pamir Plateau

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Wang Qiming) news: On September 14, 2026, on the Pamir Plateau, officers from the Aranbaotai Ecological Police Workstation joined forces with staff members of the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County Wildlife Nature Reserve Service Center for their first ecological patrol deep into the Aranbaotai Valley. Unlike previous patrols, the police officers undertook the dual mission of safeguarding border stability and conserving biodiversity.

Police officers from the Aranbaotai Ecological Police Workstation and staff from the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County Wildlife Nature Reserve Service Center conduct a patrol in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on September 14, 2026. (Photo by Zhu Baohua)

On September 9, the first batch of ecological police workstations, which are located in several villages on the Pamir Plateau, was unveiled. Police officers extend policing presence to the front line of ecological protection, guard the beautiful wetlands, protect biodiversity, and promote harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

A group of Siberian ibexes move on cliffs in the Aranbaotai Valley in the heart of the Pamir Plateau in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on September 14, 2026. (Photo by Zhu Baohua)

On September 14, police officers from the Aranbaotai Ecological Police Workstation and staff members from the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County Wildlife Nature Reserve Service Center conducted their first joint patrol. They went deep into the Aranbaotai Valley in the heart of the Pamir Plateau to survey wildlife habitats, learn about animal distribution and habits, check for poaching and illegal entry into the mountains, and explain relevant laws and regulations to herders.

Aranbaotai means "a strip of sky" and sits at an altitude of 3,260 meters. It is also home to many kinds of wild animals.

Two chukars look plump and in good condition in the Aranbaotai Valley in the heart of the Pamir Plateau in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on September 14, 2026. (Photo by Zhu Baohua)

In the Aranbaotai Valley, the joint patrol observed wildlife including Siberian ibexes moving freely among the cliffs, Himalayan griffon vultures brooding chicks, chukars strolling, a dozing desert sandpiper (moji), an alert red-winged wallcreeper, and a curious mountain weasel. Food is now abundant in the mountains, and judging by the animals' coats and behaviour, all were in good condition.

Wallcreepers rest and take off in the mountains of the Aranbaotai Valley in the heart of the Pamir Plateau in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on September 14, 2026. (Photo by Zhu Baohua)

Zhu Baohua, a police officer from the Tizinafu Border Police Station, took part in the operation. He said that the patrol helped them understand the basic situation of wildlife and ecological protection, created a new joint patrol and coordination model, and laid a foundation for better ecological police work in the future.

Other ecological police workstations on the plateau have also included ecological patrols in their daily patrol work to protect biodiversity on the Pamir Plateau and safeguard border ecological security.

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