27 people fined for trespassing restricted area in Qinghai

Twenty-seven people were fined a penalty of 135,000 yuan ($19,210) after being caught trespassing in a restricted area at Hol Xil Reserve in Northwest China's Qinghai province on Nov 1, Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday.

The police department at Hol Xil Administration Office received a report on the case on Nov 1 claiming an illegal group consisting of ten SUVs and 27 people were about to trespass the Hol Xil National Reserve from Qinghai's Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan autonomous prefecture.

After several days' investigation, the group was arrested near Taiyanghu Lake in the reserve on Nov 4, and they were safely escorted to Ge'ermu city by Nov 8.

Karma Tsetan, deputy Party chief of Professional Discipline of the Hol Xil Administrative Office, said that after investigation, they found the gang was made up of SUV amateurs, who trespassed the reserve for tourism and expedition purposes.

"According to the relevant regulations, each member of the gang was fined 5,000 yuan. They were also warned and advised against their behavior, and now the case is closed," said Tsetan.

With its average altitude topping 4,600 meters above the sea level, the UNESCO World Heritage Hol Xil Nature Reserve, famous for its natural beauty and biodiversity, is situated in the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is one of China's biggest nature reserves with the highest altitude and most diversified wild animal resources.

In 2017, joint action had been taken by reserves at Sanjiangyuan and Hoh Xil in Qinghai province, the Altun Mountain in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Chang Thang in Tibet autonomous region.

According to the action, any units or individuals are banned for trespassing the reserves. The Sanjiangyuan National Reserve Administration also warned the public that any life or property losses caused by trespassing would be the sole responsibility of the units or individuals involved.