The growing mining industry in Lop Nur, a dried out ancient lake in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China's far northwest, is causing problems for wild camels inhabiting the area.

Lop Nur, on the eastern edge of China's desert Tarim Basin, in southeast Xinjiang, used to be a huge lake of over 10,000 square kilometers, but dried up in 1972.

The nation set up a 78,000-square kilometer reserve for some 500 wild camels living in the Lop Nur area. Rich mineral resources, including coal, potassium salt, and iron and copper core, are also found in this area.

This has led to the establishment of 14 mining sites in the reserve area, according to Zhang Yongshan, director of the reserve's administration office.

Some sites occupy water sources essential for the camels, and some fail to process garbage in accordance with environmental protection standards, Zhang said.

The transportation of mining products also severely affects their living and breeding habits, posing big threats to wild camels.

The situation may turn for the better as China has reiterated determination to protect the ecological environment during the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources for sustainable development.

In a white paper on the government policy on mineral resources issued Tuesday, China pledges to strive for simultaneous development in mineral resources exploitation and environmental protection and pollution control.

The government will see relevant laws and regulations be implemented to the letter and violators be punished according to law.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2003)