The city of Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province is calling for donations to save the pagoda on Pagoda Mountain, a symbol of the city.

Landslides and other geological factors have meant that the pagoda has already slid northwest by 28 to 30.5 centimeters.

The city's relics protection department has approved a remedial plan to protect the pagoda, but the cost is estimated at 80 million yuan (US$9.6 million), which local government cannot afford, local officials said.

Zhao Suijin, director of the Pagoda Mountain Management Office, told China Daily: "We have to rely on private capital to pay for part of the project."

The pagoda is 44 meters tall and was first built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and rebuilt during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). As a state-level protected relic, the pagoda has already been renovated twice.

However, small scale landslides have occurred near the pagoda in recent years. A survey conducted in 2000 found that the closest landslide was only 19 meters away from the pagoda.

Zhao said soil erosion and the destruction of vegetation are the major reasons for the landslides.

"Wars throughout history, irresponsible actions by nearby villagers and the weathering of nature have together led to soil erosion on the mountain," said Zhao.

He said that, in the past, some nearby residents dug into the mountain to make cave dwellings and removed earth to make houses elsewhere.

"To deal with the problems, we have worked to bring more greenery to the mountain over the past decade," said Zhao. He added that the mountain now has an afforestation rate of 94 percent.

Starting this month, the city government will move residents out of nearby areas to prevent further destruction by people.

(China Daily August 6, 2003)