On the 30th, the reporter learned from the Kanas Scenic Area Management Committee of Xinjiang that, in order to protect the original ecological ancient villages within the Kanas Scenic Area, the scenic area has recently cleaned up illegal buildings that were constructed and enclosed in violation of relevant national laws and regulations and the scenic area planning requirements. As of the 29th, the scenic area had demolished a total of 13 households, 88 rooms, and 2,085 square meters of illegal and non-compliant buildings.

　　According to the introduction, in 2013, Hemu Village and Baihaba Village in the Kanas Scenic Area were selected for the second batch of the “List of Traditional Chinese Villages.” As a scenic area that holds numerous honors, including National Civilized Unit, National 5A-level Tourist Attraction, National Demonstration Protection Area, National Geopark, National Forest Park, one of China’s Six Most Beautiful Ancient Villages (Towns), one of China’s 50 Most Worthwhile Places for Foreigners to Visit, one of China’s Ten Most Beautiful Autumn Sceneries, and National Low-carbon Tourism Demonstration Area, the Kanas Scenic Area has in recent years attached great importance to inheriting and protecting historical, cultural, and ecological heritage, actively explored models for the protection and development of ancient villages, and strived to turn its rich natural, historical, and cultural resources into attractive tourism resources.

　　In recent years, with the rapid development of the tourism industry in Kanas, driven by economic interests, some outsiders, local cadres and employees, and a very small number of herders have, in violation of relevant national laws and regulations and the scenic area planning requirements, engaged in unauthorized construction and enclosure, private buying and selling of homestead land, and occupation of local herders’ land within Hemu Village and Hanas Village under Hemu Hanas Mongolian Ethnic Township. These acts have seriously violated the relevant provisions on the protection of ancient villages, damaged the local ecological environment, and affected the normal housing needs of the masses. Local farmers and herders have strongly expressed their concerns and have made very strong calls for rectification. It is imperative to strengthen the control and protection of the spatial layout, architectural style, and building scale of ancient villages.

　　At present, in light of the current development situation and in implementation of the policy of “protecting the ecology, amplifying advantages, highlighting people’s livelihood, forming distinctive features, and striving for excellence,” with emphasis on protection, strengthening the foundation, and promoting harmony, the Kanas Scenic Area has focused on increasing protection efforts for the ancient villages of Hemu Hanas Mongolian Ethnic Township. It has formulated the “Hemu Scenic Area Cultural Relic Protection and Landscape Plan” to carry out overall protection, consolidation, and control planning for the village, create an original ecological folk-custom ancient village, and effectively protect the village’s cultural heritage, historical landscape, and stylistic features. On April 27, the scenic area launched the protection and rectification work for the ancient villages of Hemu Hanas Mongolian Ethnic Township, produced and distributed more than 3,000 copies of publicity materials including the “Measures for the Administration of Rural Homestead Land in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region” and the “Measures for the Administration of Rural Housing Construction in the Kanas Scenic Area,” and 158 herder households spontaneously jointly initiated the “Proposal for the Protection of Ancient Villages in Hemu Hanas Mongolian Ethnic Township.” With the deepening of the ancient village rectification work and extensive publicity, the villagers’ awareness of ancient village protection has also been continuously enhanced. Many people have gradually realized the significance of ancient village protection and have shifted from arbitrary destruction, indifference, and unauthorized construction to strong support and active participation. A top-down “cultural awakening” has unfolded within the scenic area.

　　At present, the rectification work is progressing smoothly and has won the support and endorsement of the broad masses. Next, based on the characteristics of the rectification work, the scenic area will further intensify the ancient village rectification efforts from aspects such as increasing publicity and education, carrying out thorough investigations, strictly and impartially enforcing the law, and improving long-term mechanisms, so as to ensure practical results are achieved.