Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.
The early morning mist rolling over Nanbanghe village in Pu'er, Yunnan province, used to carry an underlying edge of tension. In this part of Southwest China, wild Asian elephants are not just occasional visitors; they are an indelible part of daily life.
The massive animals move fluidly through farmland, dense forests and narrow rural roads, sometimes gathering in impressive herds.
Li Meixian, Party chief of the village, recalls times when as many as 40 to 50 elephants appeared in the area at once. Even recently, more than 30 have remained actively roaming the surrounding countryside.
On paper, their persistent presence reflects a remarkable triumph of conservation. Yunnan's wild Asian elephant population has grown from 293 in 2018 to nearly 400, according to official figures.
Yet for the farming communities sitting directly along these ancient migration corridors, that conservation success brought a harrowing, everyday dilemma: how can people protect their crops, their homes and their personal safety while actively making room for a protected, four-metric-ton species?
Pu'er set out to answer that question not with barriers or conflict, but with an integrated package of measures combining managed food source bases, constant monitoring, insurance compensation and financial backing for local rural industries. In Nanbanghe, the most visible and innovative piece of this strategy is known locally as the "elephant canteen".
