From May 7th to 10th, Jiangnan Buyi, together with Zha Qiongcang Ecological and Cultural Development Center, yak cashmere brand Shokay Xiujia and Aoyang Woolen Velvet launched the "From the Snow Fleece in Nature" yak wool exploration tour activity was carried out in Ruoergai, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan, and 40 people from all over the country including Jiangnan Buyi's high-end women's clothing LESS brand member representatives and media friends had an in-depth understanding of the survival challenges of the "Snowy Boat" yak, and participated in the ecological restoration of the grassland, in 290 acres of "black soil beach" Plant the seeds of hope.
This activity is one of the important actions of Jiangnan Buyi's "Making the Best Use of Cloth - Yak Cashmere Industry Revitalization Project", which aims to improve the living environment of yaks, protect the ecological diversity of grasslands, and help the healthy and sustainable development of Zoige area, an important ecological function area in the upper reaches of the Yellow River.
("From the snowy area of velvet in nature" yak cashmere exploration tour grass planting activity site)
Grassland ecological restoration has a long way to go
90% of the world's yaks are grown on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China, and yak wool falls off naturally every year, making it one of the rare natural fibers that best represents China. The production of yak wool is closely linked to the sustainable livelihoods of Tibetan communities and the ecological balance of Tibetan areas. However, in recent years, due to the multiple influences of human and natural factors, the desertification phenomenon of grassland has become increasingly severe, and the ecological environment of high-quality pasture areas has been seriously damaged. At the same time, the desertification of grasslands also deprives the land of its important ability to conserve water, thus affecting the natural landscape and ecological health of the upper reaches of the Yellow River.
The deteriorating ecological environment affects the healthy growth of yaks, and indirectly affects the yield and quality of yak cashmere. Pastoralists who depend on livestock for their livelihoods are also faced with the challenge of sustainable livelihoods, and even fall into a cycle of overgrazing – deterioration of pastures – loss of income.
(The originally beautiful and fertile grassland appeared "Black Soil Beach")
Zha Qiong Barang, founder of the Zhaqiongcang Ecological and Cultural Development Center, said: "Herdsmen rely on cattle and sheep, cattle and sheep rely on grassland, and if the grassland is gone, our home will be gone. Therefore, to control grassland desertification is to protect our own homeland. ”
(Zha Qiongcang Ecological and Cultural Development Center, founder of Zha Qiong Ba Rang, is sharing the governance of "Black Soil Beach")
According to the Outline of the Plan for Ecological Protection and High-Quality Development of the Yellow River Basin issued by the State Council in 2021, the upstream rivers and lakes in Yushu and Guoluo in Qinghai, Aba and Ganzi in Sichuan, and Gannan in Gansu are rich in resources and are the main water supply areas of the Yellow River. Strictly protect the ecological spaces of important wetlands such as wetlands of international importance, wetlands of national importance, and national wetland nature reserves, and increase the governance and restoration of major wetlands such as Gannan and Ruoergai. At the opening ceremony of the Convention on Wetlands held in 2022, the construction of a number of wetland-type national parks such as Sanjiangyuan, Qinghai Lake and Ruoergai was emphasized, and the implementation of the national wetland conservation plan and major wetland protection projects were once again emphasized. At the beginning of 2024, the establishment of Zoige National Park was written into the work report of the Sichuan Provincial Government. The establishment of Zoige National Park is of great significance for responding to global climate change, fulfilling the International Convention on Wetlands, building a solid ecological barrier in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, and safeguarding national ecological security. The grass planting action initiated by Jiangnan Buyi, Zhaqiongcang Ecological and Cultural Development Center, and Yak Cashmere Brand Xiujia has played an important role in promoting the governance of the black soil beach in the Zoige area, and has also had a positive impact on the protection of the Zoige wetland.
The revitalization of the yak cashmere industry is in the ascendant
In fact, participating in the grassland ecological restoration action is only one of the components of the "Yak Cashmere Industry Revitalization Project" launched by Jiangnan Buyi and various partners this year. In addition, the project also includes the development of international sustainable standards for yak cashmere, animal welfare training and ranch certification for herders, and innovative research and development of yak wool fabrics, aiming to link the upstream and downstream value chain participants from raw material collection to the consumer market, and comprehensively promote the improvement and revitalization of the entire local yak cashmere industry.
As an important partner of Jiangnan Cloth for the project, Qiao Wanshan, founder of Shokay, said: "We are building a sustainable ecological chain, and everyone is our partner, and from the perspective of media, consumers, and platforms, it is a very important part of this ecology. Because the integration of communities, consumers, and the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain is the key to leveraging the overall sustainability. ”
(Qiao Wanshan, founder of Shokay, shares her 17 years of deep cultivation in the yak cashmere industry)
At the Global Sustainable Natural Fiber Conference held in Beijing on April 11, representatives from the International Cooperation Branch of Animal Welfare of the China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation, the Standardization Committee of the China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation, the Qinghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangnan Cloth Clothing Co., Ltd., and Xiujia Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. jointly opened the group standard of "Farm Animal Welfare Requirements for Yak". This is China's first and the world's first yak animal welfare-related standard, aiming to improve the level of yak breeding technology and welfare, and promote the sustainable development and international competitiveness of yak-related products in mainland China. On the basis of paying full attention to the welfare of yaks, this standard will also pay attention to the ecological sustainability of the yak growing environment, and truly promote the responsible practice and sustainable development of the yak industry. It is understood that the standard is expected to be released in August this year. In terms of innovative research and development of yak wool fabrics, the research and development results have been applied to the products of many brands of Jiangnan cloth this autumn and winter.
(The group standard of "Farm Animal Welfare Requirements for Yak" was officially launched)
It is understood that Jiangnan Buyi is one of the earliest Chinese designer brands to use yak cashmere. In 2017, Jiangnan Buyi's high-end women's clothing brand LESS released yak wool products, and in 2021, it will launch the first yak wool series of clothing. Starting in 2022, in the five-year "Make the Most of Cloth" project launched by Jiangnan Cloth and Rong Design Library, yak cashmere has been deeply studied as a natural fiber representing China, and thus explored that the yak wool industry faces many spaces to be improved.
(Zheng Dandan, general manager of public relations of Jiangnan cloth clothing enterprise, shared the yak cashmere industry revitalization project)
From the application of yak cashmere products to the in-depth participation in the revitalization of the yak cashmere industry, Jiangnan Buyi is vividly interpreting its understanding of sustainable fashion with responsible actions and innovative practices. Zheng Dandan, general manager of public relations of Jiangnan Cloth Clothing Enterprise, said: "As a Chinese brand, we feel unshirkable for the innovation of fabrics originating in China and the sustainable development of related industries. Therefore, we hope to do a solid job in this project, and look forward to seeing the grass greener, the cattle stronger, and more consumers have the opportunity to experience China's refined products made from traceable high-end yak wool as raw materials in the future.