Today, sheep herding is still the main source of income for farmers at the foot of the Great Wall. [Photo by Dong Yaohui, provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The protection of the Great Wall necessitates a focus on its surrounding ecological environment. Some sections of the Great Wall have unfortunately undergone desertification due to historical military operations and wars. Consequently, special consideration must be given to the development within the Great Wall's vicinity. For instance, the installation of wind turbines should be situated well outside the vicinity of the Great Wall's ruins. Furthermore, comprehensive management measures and supplementary environmental restoration efforts should be implemented in the long run to mitigate any adverse effects on the surrounding ecosystem and landscape.
Protection of the Great Wall encompasses not only the walls but also the city itself, functioning as a comprehensive defense system, along with valuable resources like castles and ancient villages dotted along its perimeter. These ancient castles along the Great Wall preserve the way of life of the garrison soldiers. Without these castles, the defense system of the Great Wall would merely be the walls.
Protecting the Great Wall remains a long-term endeavor, requiring the extensive mobilization of social forces and sustained dedication from generation to generation.
