The Story of a Village Youth

By: Chi Re a Jia

Translated from Chinese by: Meg Xu

My Past...

My name is Chi Re A Jia, and I was born in a Yi village called Bayuelin in the Lesser Liangshan Mountains of Sichuan. My hometown is surrounded by steep mountains with very little arable land. My childhood memories are deeply intertwined with the mountains, traditions, and my family.  

Due to the scarcity of farmland, our family faced many financial struggles. Traditionally, we relied on the mountains for our livelihood. At the age of 14, after my two older brothers had already dropped out of school, I followed my elder sister and sister-in-law into the mountains to harvest bamboo shoots for the first time. We stayed in the deep forests for ten to fifteen days, carrying only a woven bag with a blanket and some rice. We built temporary shelters and set out before dawn to dig for bamboo shoots, returning exhausted at night. Lying on a damp blanket, covered in mud, only my eyes and teeth remained clean. After three days, I had earned just six yuan. An elder told me, "Go back to school. Anything you do in the future will be better than digging bamboo shoots." Tears streamed down my face as I wondered, "When will this life change?"  

Later...  

After joining Taohuayuan, I participated in selecting and setting up all the infrared cameras in the Bayuelin Conservation Area. It took a full year to complete the setup. I was determined that these cameras would capture a photo of a giant panda. Bayuelin had not seen a panda in over 20 years, and people mocked it as a "panda reserve without pandas."  

At first, I didn’t understand conservation. But as I worked, I noticed that many in my family began to avoid me. During visits to neighbors, relatives, and friends, I would tirelessly explain what activities were illegal in the reserve.  

Once, during a night patrol, I caught poachers and immediately reported them to the police. But in this village, everyone is related in some way.  

Such a small action had turned me into an outcast, even from my own family. No one spoke to me. During a meal, a respected elder said to me, "Just go to work. Don’t go against everyone. Your roots are here. Now that you’ve offended everyone, who will help you in the future?" Another elder accused me, "What are you protecting? Life is already so hard for us. We rely on the mountains to earn a little money, and now you’re stopping us from digging bamboo shoots and herbs. You grew up here too. Are you trying to take away our livelihood?"  

For the Yi people, family is everything. Being ostracized by my entire family became unbearable, and I eventually packed up my blanket and went home.  

After two days at home, spent immersed in my thoughts, I steeled my resolve. Bayuelin was a panda reserve without pandas. This was a place in need of conservation. I had spent a whole year setting up 68 infrared cameras, hoping to capture a panda on camera. After a few days of thinking, I packed my blanket and returned.  

On April 8, 2020, my dream came true. An infrared camera on the border finally captured a panda! It was the first time in over 20 years that a panda had been photographed in Bayuelin. I was so happy I ran around the tree several times.  

We shared the news with the villagers, and many posted the panda video on their social media. During a village meeting, a villager stood up and said, "The panda was photographed in Bayuelin. We must protect it and not let it leave. If we become famous for pandas, tourists will come, and we can open guesthouses and businesses. Isn’t that better than digging bamboo shoots?" I finally realized that my work wasn’t about taking away the villagers’ livelihoods but about bringing them new hope. I could now stand tall and speak confidently with my family and fellow villagers.  

We guided the villagers to set rules: no hunting, no overnight stays in the reserve, and no littering. As long as they managed themselves well, they could temporarily retain their mountain income while gradually transitioning. Over three years, the villagers became more accepting, and in 2023, pandas even descended to the 1,600-meter core area.  

Now, our village is connected by high-speed rail, less than two hours from Chengdu. I’ve convinced my eldest brother to open a guesthouse. Only by protecting our environment can the villagers who rely on the mountains have more hope.  

Over time I’ve grown immensely and no longer approach climate conservation in as "straightforward" a method as beforeas before. When I visit villagers’ homes, they no longer resist me. Sitting around the fire, roasting potatoes, dipping them in chili powder, and chatting, I feel happy. This is the life I want, and I am certain I can bring change to my village.