Over-population, which feeds an incessant drive to open up virgin land for agriculture, has long stripped China of many of its native flora and fauna.
That a few sites of natural wonders, such as Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan and Zhangjiajie in Hunan, have managed to survive human encroachment in this ancient land must be counted as miracles.
Yet, unless the authorities act fast, there is every likelihood they will succumb to the trampling feet of tourists. Jiuzhaigou has made encouraging steps to control the number of tourists, bar polluting vehicles from going inside the national park and confine hotel developments to outside the park.
But the latest plans announced by the Hunan authorities appear to run contrary to the advice of United Nations experts and directives from Beijing aimed at preserving one of the world's greatest natural heritage areas.
In their bid to earn more tourist dollars, Hunan officials should beware that they do not inadvertently kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
