Yushu(Jyekundo) Sanjiangyuan

Sanjiangyuan (Three Rivers' Headwaters) National Nature Reserve (SNNR)
The Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve is the second largest nature reserve in the world, as well as the highest and most extensive wetland protected area in the world. It has a population of approximately 200,000 people living within its 152,300 km2 C a land area larger than England and Wales combined (Table 1). The nature reserve comprises the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Mekong rivers. Nearly 600 million people who live downstream depend on the proper functioning C and hence the long-term protection C of these rivers for their livelihood.

The Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve has 18 conservation areas, each with a core zone, a buffer zone and an experimental zone. In the central core zones, measures will be taken to protect endangered animals. Surrounding the core zones are buffer zones designed to promote conservation, yet still available to local herders for limited grazing of sheep and cattle. Outside these, multiple-use experimental zones will be used primarily for scientific investigations and tourism development. The total area of core zone amounts to 31,200 km2, the area of buffer zone amounts to 39,200 km2 and the area of experimental and research zone amounts to 81,900 km2 (i.e., 20%, 26% and 54% of the nature reserve's area, respectively). The 18 conservation areas also fall into three broad categories of purpose: 8 wetland, 3 wildlife and 7 forest and/or shrubland conservation areas.

The Headwaters of the Three Rivers refers to the source area of the Yangtze River, Yellow River and Mekong River, all located in southern Qinghai Province. The Yangtze River originates at Geladandong Snow Mountain in the Banyakala mountain range. The river's total length in the province is about 1,200 km , approximately 19% of the total length. Upper tributaries include the Tuotuohe, Qumahe, Buqu and Dangqu branches, which jointly account for around one-quarter of the river's total runoff.  The Yellow River originates at Beiligezigeya Snow Mountain. The river's total length in the province is nearly 2,000 km long, approximately 36% of the total length. Duoqu and Riqu are the main tributaries of the upper Yellow River. The Mekong River originates from at Guozongmucha Snow Mountain. The river's total length in the province is around 450 km long, approximately 10% of the total length.