Tianmu Mountain in eastern China is showing how centuries old religious beliefs can work alongside modern conservation to protect biodiversity. Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian traditions have long encouraged local communities to respect forests, plants and wildlife in the region.
The area recently underwent a major conservation expansion. The former Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve, once covering about 4,300 hectares, became part of the much larger 54,700 hectare Tianmushan Qingliangfeng UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2025.
Known as the “kingdom of big trees,” the reserve is home to thousands of species, including the endangered Ginkgo biloba, Chinese pangolin, black muntjac, Chinese golden larch and Tianmu ironwood.
For generations temples and religious institutions played an important role in protecting the mountain. Local traditions promoted the belief that nature deserved respect, while strict rules discouraged the destruction of forests and wildlife.
Today, formal government regulations manage the expanded reserve, but officials say traditional beliefs continue to influence how communities view conservation. The reserve’s long term management plan was also developed with local communities.
More than 47,000 people live across 41 villages within the transition zones of the biosphere reserve. Residents are being encouraged to participate in ecotourism and sustainable industries, helping connect environmental protection with local livelihoods.
Authorities are also trying to encourage younger generations to work in tourism and operate homestays instead of relying entirely on farming. Officials believe this approach can create economic opportunities while giving communities a stronger reason to protect the environment.
However, Tianmu Mountain still faces environmental challenges. Pine wilt disease is killing pine trees, while climate warming is changing the composition of forests and allowing evergreen species from lower and warmer regions to move into higher elevations.
The conservation model at Tianmu Mountain highlights how traditional knowledge and cultural beliefs can complement modern science and environmental laws. By combining community participation, religious heritage and formal conservation policies, the reserve is attempting to protect one of China’s important biodiversity landscapes for future generations.