Du Yibiao, 63, has been patrolling the forests at Sanfengling Mountain in Linwu county, Chenzhou city of Hunan province, for 25 years.

 

Since 1996 when he moved to work and live at the observatory station at the top of the mountain, he has been taking care of the area by planting trees to make the mountain greener and healthier and patrolling the mountain to reduce fire hazards and also stop people from cutting down the trees.

 

In addition, he records the water conditions and the biological diversity of the mountain.

 

 

Du Yibiao, 63, patrols the forests at Sanfengling Mountain in Linwu county, Chenzhou city of Hunan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

 

He has written more than 4,000 diaries to record what happened at the mountain.

 

Du walks at least 10 kilometers every day on the mountain, and consequently wears out three pairs of shoes every year.

 

During the first year after he took the job, there were no trails on the mountain. "Every time I walked from the foot to the top, I needed to use a machete to cut grass and bramble to make a way," Du recalled.

 

Years later, he created a trail zigzagging to the top.

 

 

Du Yibiao, 63, patrols the forests at Sanfengling Mountain in Linwu county, Chenzhou city of Hunan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

 

Cooking is the most difficult thing for Du because there is no electricity and water at the observatory station.

 

Du has to carry food - mainly dry vegetables, potatoes and pickles - from the foot of the mountain to the top every two weeks.

 

Still, to Du, this challenge doesn't compare the loneliness he has to bear.

 

"I have nobody to talk to," he said.

 

 

Du Yibiao, 63, patrols the forests at Sanfengling Mountain in Linwu county, Chenzhou city of Hunan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

 

The way he passes time is to sing. "I bought a radio in the second month after I came to the observatory station," he said, adding he listens to the radio every day and sings songs every day.

 

Du said a sightseeing pavilion will be built beside the observatory station in the near future.

 

"The sightseeing pavilion will bring tourists here," he said.

 

"I'm a son of the mountain, so it's my duty to take care of it," said Du.