UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
---|---|
Official name | Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains |
Location | Sichuan, People's Republic of China |
Criteria | Natural: (x) |
Reference | 1213 |
Inscription | 2006 (30th Session) |
Area | 924,500 ha (3,570 sq mi) |
Buffer zone | 527,100 ha (2,035 sq mi) |
Coordinates | 30°50′N 103°0′E / 30.833°N 103.000°E |
The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries (simplified Chinese: 四川大熊猫栖息地; traditional Chinese: 四川大熊貓棲息地; pinyin: Sìchuān Dàxióngmāo Qīxīdì) located in southwest Sichuan province of China, is the home to more than 30% of the world's giant pandas and is among the most important sites for the captive breeding of these pandas. It covers 9245 km2 with seven nature reserves and nine scenic parks in the Qionglai and Jiajin Mountains. Along with the giant panda, the sanctuary is a refuge to other endangered species such as the red panda, the snow leopard, and the clouded leopard. Outside of the tropical rainforests, it is among the botanically richest sites of the world, and is home to between 5,000 and 6,000 species of flora. It has been noted that the region is similar to the paleo-tropic forests of the Paleogene and Neogene Periods. Because of its biodiversity and conservation of giant pandas, these sanctuaries were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2006.[1]
The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries consist of eight nature reserves and nine scenic parks.[1]