Guardian dedicates 25 years to protecting butterflies in SW China's Yunnan

46-year-old Yang Zhenwen is curator of the Butterfly Valley Museum in Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Also a butterfly monitor, Yang's duties include monitoring, keeping a record of and protecting butterflies living at a butterfly valley.

The butterfly valley is located in Ma'andi township of Jinping, which maintains a warm and humid climate throughout the year. A "butterfly explosion" takes place here between May and June every year, during which more than 100 million butterflies appear.

Butterflies fly during a “butterfly explosion” at the butterfly valley in Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi)

Behind the emergence of the "butterfly explosion" is not only the favorable natural environment of the place, but also the meticulous care given to the butterflies by the local people, including Yang.

Local villagers have developed an awareness of protecting the environment and butterflies. The local government has implemented regulations to protect and manage the butterfly valley, and established an organization to manage the butterfly valley.

Butterflies are seen at the butterfly valley in Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai Autonomous county, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi)

"I worked hard to protect butterflies over the past 25 years. When I saw the butterflies flying around me, I thought all my painstaking efforts had paid off," said Yang, adding that he will continue to work hard to create a better environment for the butterflies.