In 1935, during the Long March, the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army crossed the snow-capped mountains, but it had to face a more difficult test - the Songpan grassland. This meadow, known as "cannibalism", once put countless Red Army soldiers in a desperate situation. Slippery and muddy swamps, harsh and changeable weather, and extreme lack of food, every step could be the last step of life. How many brave warriors have been buried forever under this seemingly peaceful grassland. Time flies, more than 80 years have passed, what is the scene of the grassland that once swallowed life? Are the hardships of those years a thing of the past? Is this grassland still in danger? Perhaps, it has changed dramatically?
1. The "Death Meadow" in the Red Army's Long March
In August 1935, the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army finally crossed the snow-capped mountains after an arduous Long March. However, what awaits them is not the dawn of victory, but a seemingly flat but hidden grassland - Songpan grassland. This place, known as the "Death Meadow" by later generations, became the most difficult part of the Red Army's Long March.
Songpan Grassland is located in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province and is an important part of the eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This grassland covers a vast area, hundreds of kilometers in length and width, with an average altitude of more than 3,500 meters. From a distance, the turquoise meadows stretch as far as the eye can see, and the blue sky and white clouds are beautiful. However, beneath this seemingly calm beauty, there are countless deadly dangers.
When the Red Army entered the meadows, it was the rainy season. Constant rainfall has made the already moist grasslands even more muddy. Underneath the turf is soft mud, which can sink into a swamp if you are not careful. To make matters worse, there were few directional markers on the steppe, and the Red Army officers and men had to rely on compasses and astrological signs to determine their routes.
Before entering the meadow, the Red Army command sent people to inquire about the situation among the local Tibetans. The Tibetans shook their heads, told the Red Army that the meadow was dangerous, and advised them to take a detour. However, with the Kuomintang army in pursuit behind them, the Red Army had no choice but to venture forward.
On August 21, 1935, the main forces of the Red Army began to enter the meadows. When they first stepped on the meadow, the warriors were also attracted by the beautiful scenery in front of them. However, they didn't go far before they encountered their first hurdle. A young warrior accidentally stepped into the swamp and instantly fell into a waist-deep quagmire. The surrounding comrades immediately launched a rescue, but the too soft soil made it difficult for them to stand firm. Eventually, after great effort, the fighter was rescued. This scene made everyone aware of the danger of the meadow.
In order to avoid a similar tragedy, the Red Army took a series of countermeasures. They divided their troops into small groups, and each group sent a pathfinder warrior to probe the terrain ahead with long bamboo poles. If the bamboo pole is submerged in the grass, it means that it may be a swamp. In addition, they also tie ropes around their waists so that they can rescue each other in case of danger.
However, even so, casualties cannot be completely avoided. Some fighters were resting at night, because of the weight of their bodies pressing on the turf, and woke up to find themselves in the mire. Many more fell into the swamp during the march and were unable to get out due to physical exhaustion. According to statistics, on the meadows alone, the Red Army lost thousands of fighters.
In addition to the swamps, bad weather also caused great distress to the Red Army. The weather on the plateau is unpredictable, with the sun shining brightly and the rain pouring down. In the steppes without shelter, the warriors were often drenched. The cold and humidity have caused many people to suffer from colds, pneumonia, and other diseases. Due to the lack of medicine, many of the sick soldiers could not be treated in time and eventually died.
Even more serious is the food problem. When the Red Army entered the meadow, it was expected to be able to pass in two or three days, so they carried only limited rations. However, the difficult conditions of the march caused them to be delayed in the grass for nearly two weeks. Food quickly ran out, and the warriors had to survive by eating grass roots and tree bark. Some people even boil their belts and shoes to satisfy their hunger. Hunger and malnutrition further weakened the Red Army's combat effectiveness, making an already difficult march even more difficult.
In such an extremely harsh environment, the officers and men of the Red Army showed admirable tenacity and unity. They helped each other, cared for the sick and wounded, and shared what little food they had. Some fighters even gave their rations to comrades who needed them more. It was this indomitable spirit that sustained the Red Army through this most difficult period.
After nearly two weeks of arduous trekking, the Red Army finally walked out of this "meadow of death". Despite the heavy price, the main forces of the Red Army were preserved, laying the foundation for subsequent victories. This experience has also become one of the most tragic chapters in the history of the Chinese revolution, and the "grassland spirit" has been widely praised by future generations.
2. The test of life and death on the grass
Every step of the Red Army in the Songpan steppe was a test of life. This seemingly peaceful grassland is actually hiding countless deadly traps. The swamps, the harsh and changeable weather, and the extreme lack of food supplies all became a great challenge to the survival of the Red Army. However, in this extremely harsh environment, the Red Army soldiers showed amazing creativity and indomitable revolutionary spirit.
Swamps are the deadliest threat to grasslands. On the surface, the grass is verdant, but beneath your feet is soft dirt and standing water. If you accidentally step on the air, you may fall into a bottomless quagmire. To cope with this danger, the Red Army adopted a series of original methods. They tied long bamboo poles to their feet, increasing the contact area and reducing the likelihood of falling into a swamp. Some clever warriors also came up with simple "straw sandals" woven from tree branches, which not only prevented slipping, but also prevented them from falling into the mud to a certain extent.
In addition to this, the Red Army organized special "pathfinders". These brave warriors walked at the front of the procession, using long bamboo poles to probe the terrain ahead. If a dangerous area is found, they will immediately give a warning and direct the comrades in the rear to take a detour. This method, although slowed down the march, greatly reduced the casualty rate.
However, even so, quite a few fighters unfortunately fell into the swamp. In this case, the Red Army showed a touching spirit of unity. They would form human chains with ropes or belts, and at the risk of falling into the swamp themselves, struggled to pull out their comrades who had fallen into the mire. Once, a young soldier accidentally fell into a deep swamp, and the comrades around him immediately launched a rescue. After nearly an hour of hard work, the fighter was finally rescued, but several comrades involved in the rescue also collapsed due to excessive physical exertion. This spirit of self-sacrifice is constantly playing out on the grass.
In addition to the swamps, the harsh and changeable weather also brought great tests to the Red Army. The Songpan grassland is located on a plateau, and the climate changes impermanently. The sun shines brightly during the day, but at night it can drop below freezing. Sudden rainstorms and hailstorms are commonplace. Faced with this situation, the Red Army fighters had to find ways to protect themselves. They weaved improvised raincoats from grass and made makeshift tents out of tree bark. Some fighters even dig turf and dig small holes in the ground to hide in the bad weather.
However, these rudimentary shelters often struggle to withstand the harsh weather of the highlands. Many fighters suffered from colds, pneumonia, and other illnesses due to prolonged exposure to the rain. Due to the lack of medicines, these otherwise curable diseases have become deadly threats in the meadows. According to statistics, hundreds of Red Army soldiers died of illness alone.
Food shortages were another great challenge for the Red Army. Since it was expected to take only two or three days to cross the meadows, the Red Army was carrying very limited rations. However, the difficult conditions of the march caused them to be delayed in the grass for nearly two weeks. Food quickly ran out, and hunger became everyone's daily routine.
In this situation, the Red Army fighters had to look for every possible source of food. They dig up grass roots, feed on tree bark, and even try to eat some unknown wild fruits and plants. Some warriors boiled their belts and shoes to satisfy their hunger. An old Red Army later recalled that they used to boil water from the saddle to drink, just to get a little nourishment.
However, these unconventional foods are often difficult to digest and can even be toxic. Many fighters suffered from abdominal pain, vomiting and other symptoms due to improper consumption. Once, the soldiers of a company found a field of fruit, and they immediately feasted on it when they were hungry. As a result, it did not take long for the entire company to develop severe symptoms of diarrhea, which seriously affected the march.
Faced with this dilemma, the Red Army showed amazing creativity. Some fighters invented a special "wild vegetable soup", which mixes various edible plants together and cooks them, which can not only satisfy hunger, but also ensure a certain amount of nutrition. Some fighters learned to use simple tools to catch small animals, such as voles, frogs, etc., to replenish protein.
Under such difficult conditions, the Red Army soldiers still maintained high revolutionary enthusiasm. They held brief political studies on the sidelines of the march to discuss the future of the revolution. Some fighters even carved slogans on the bark of trees to boost the morale of their comrades. This firm belief has become their spiritual pillar to overcome all difficulties.
It was with this indomitable spirit that the Red Army finally came out of this "meadow of death". Despite the heavy price, the main forces of the Red Army were preserved, laying the foundation for subsequent victories. This experience has also become one of the most tragic chapters in the history of the Chinese revolution, and the "grassland spirit" has been widely praised by future generations.
3. The Transformation of Grassland: From "Land of the Dead" to "Ecological Treasure House"
Time flies, and what was once the "meadow of death" has now undergone earth-shaking changes. With the country's attention and investment in this area, the Songpan grassland has gradually transformed from a dangerous swamp to a vibrant ecological treasure house. This transformation not only reflects the restoration of natural ecology, but also witnesses the efforts of human beings to live in harmony with nature.
Since the 50s of the last century, the state has begun to pay attention to this former "meadow of death". The first was a large-scale geological survey and ecological survey. Researchers went deep into the grasslands to record in detail the geological structure, vegetation distribution and climatic characteristics of the grassland. Through these investigations, people have gained a deeper understanding of this grassland, and also laid the foundation for subsequent ecological restoration work.
In the 60s, the state launched the drainage project of the Songpan grassland. The aim of the project is to improve the hydrological conditions of the grasslands and reduce the area of swamps. The team dug hundreds of kilometers of drainage canals in the grasslands to divert the stagnant water into the surrounding rivers. The project, which lasted for nearly a decade, greatly improved the surface conditions of the grasslands. What was once a swamp that sank when stepped on has gradually turned into a solid pasture.
At the same time, vegetation restoration is in full swing. Researchers have screened out grass species suitable for growing in the plateau environment, such as alpine pine grass and weeping panicle grass. These grass species are not only adapted to the climatic conditions of the plateau, but also effectively fix the soil and prevent soil erosion. Through the combination of artificial sowing and natural restoration, the vegetation coverage of grassland has increased year by year.
By the 80s, the ecological environment of the Songpan grassland had improved significantly. What was once a swamp with no grass has been transformed into a lush pasture. This not only provides better grazing conditions for local herders, but also attracts many wild animals to return to the grassland.
In 1982, a wildlife survey team found a herd of Tibetan antelopes in the grasslands. This animal, which was thought to be extinct in the region at the beginning of the 20th century, has reappeared in the grasslands. The discovery was ecstatic for researchers and marked the gradual recovery of the grassland ecosystem.
Subsequent investigations found that not only Tibetan antelopes, but also black-necked cranes, snow leopards and other rare animals have a stable habitat in this grassland. In 1987, the state established the Zoige Wetland Nature Reserve in this area, further strengthening the protection of this area.
In the 90s, the ecological value of the Songpan grassland was more widely recognized. Scientists have found that this grassland is not only home to many wild animals, but also an important water conservation area. The abundant vegetation on the grassland can effectively absorb and store rainwater, and regulate the hydrological environment of the surrounding area. This discovery has raised grassland conservation to a higher level.
In 1992, the state launched the "Natural Grassland Ecosystem Protection Project". This project not only includes continuing to improve the ecological environment of the grassland, but also changing the production and lifestyle of local residents. The government encourages herders to reduce the number of grazing and adopt rotational grazing systems to reduce the carrying pressure on grasslands. At the same time, it also guides herders to develop alternative industries such as ecotourism, which not only protects the grasslands, but also increases the herders' income.
In 2000, Songpan grassland was listed as a national key ecological function area. This means that the protection and management of grasslands have received more policy support and financial investment. In the following years, a number of ecological monitoring stations were established on the grassland to monitor the ecological changes of the grassland in real time. Researchers have also carried out a large number of ecological restoration experiments on the grassland to explore ecological restoration technologies that are more suitable for the plateau environment.
In 2010, an important scientific result was published: the Songpan grassland has a staggering 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon storage. This discovery has led to the realization that grasslands are not only an important ecological barrier, but also an important "weapon" in the fight against climate change. Since then, the protection of grasslands has taken on a new significance.
In recent years, with the development of science and technology, grassland protection and management methods have also been constantly innovated. The application of satellite remote sensing technology allows researchers to monitor changes in vegetation cover and biodiversity in grasslands in real time. The use of drones has greatly improved the efficiency of wildlife surveys. The application of these new technologies provides strong support for the scientific management of grasslands.
Today's Songpan grassland has become a vibrant ecological treasure house. Every summer, flowers bloom on the grasslands, herds of cattle and sheep graze on the meadows, and black-necked cranes dance in the wetlands. What was once a "meadow of death" has now become a paradise for life.
From the "Land of the Dead" to the "Ecological Treasure House", the changes of the Songpan Grassland bear witness to the efforts of humans to live in harmony with nature. This is not only a success story of ecological restoration, but also a story of hope and perseverance. It shows us that with our unremitting efforts, even the harshest environments can be brought back to life.
Fourth, the inheritance and development of the grassland spirit
As one of the most valuable spiritual assets of the Red Army's Long March, the "grassland spirit" has been continuously inherited and developed in the course of China's revolution and construction. This spirit is not only embodied in military struggles, but also plays an important role in various fields in peacetime, and has become a powerful driving force for the Chinese people to keep moving forward.
In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the "grassland spirit" was first inherited in the military field. In 1950, when the Chinese People's Volunteers went to fight in Korea, they faced an extremely difficult environment and a strong enemy. It was precisely by virtue of their tenacity and courage similar to the "grassland spirit" that the officers and men of the Chinese Volunteers persisted in fighting under extremely harsh conditions, and finally won the victory in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.
In the early 1960s, China suffered severe natural disasters and economic difficulties. In this case, the "spirit of the meadow" again played an important role. The government has called on the people of the whole country to carry forward the spirit of "self-reliance and hard work", which is similar to the "grassland spirit". In difficult times, many localities organized activities to "learn the spirit of the Long March" to inspire people to overcome current difficulties by recalling the arduous experience of the Red Army on the meadows.
In 1978, China began a great process of reform and opening up. In this new historical period, the "grassland spirit" has a new interpretation. In the early days of reform and opening up, China faced many challenges and difficulties. At this time, the government put forward the slogan "dare to be the first in the world" to encourage people to be brave and brave and take risks. This spirit is deeply connected with the innovative spirit of the Red Army on the meadows.
In 1992, Deng Xiaoping's speech on his southern tour of the country put forward the phrase "fight for a bloody road", which can also be seen as a modern interpretation of the "grassland spirit". Just as the Red Army marched forward bravely in the grass, reform and opening up also needed this kind of courage and determination.
In the 21st century, the "grassland spirit" has been newly embodied in the field of scientific and technological innovation. In 2003, China successfully launched the Shenzhou V manned spacecraft, realizing the dream of the Chinese to go into space for the first time. In this process, the perseverance and innovative spirit shown by astronauts and scientific researchers are deeply related to the "grassland spirit".
In 2008, after the Wenchuan earthquake, the scene of the whole country working together to tide over the difficulties once again reminded people of the scene of the Red Army helping each other on the grassland. Rescue workers risked aftershocks at personal risk to go deep into the disaster area; Ordinary people organize rescue and donations on their own; Medical staff work for dozens of hours without rest. This spirit of defying hardships and dangers and uniting is the vivid embodiment of the "grassland spirit" in the new era.
In 2020, when the pandemic broke out, the whole country once again showed resilience and solidarity similar to the "spirit of the grassland". Healthcare workers are fighting on the front lines of the fight against the epidemic at the risk of being infected; Scientists work day and night to develop vaccines; Ordinary people consciously quarantined at home and contributed to the control of the epidemic. This spirit of working together to overcome difficulties is exactly the same as the spirit of the Red Army soldiers helping each other and overcoming difficulties together on the grass.
In the field of education, the "meadow spirit" has also been widely inherited. Many schools incorporate the "grassland spirit" into the content of ideological and political education, and cultivate students' patriotism and tenacity by telling the story of the Red Army on the grassland. Some schools also organized students to carry out simulated Long March activities, so that students could experience the arduous course of the Red Army and deeply understand the connotation of the "grassland spirit".
In the field of culture and art, the "spirit of the grassland" has also become an important theme of creation. A number of films, television dramas, and literary works reflecting the experience of the Long March have been published, including vivid depictions of the Red Army's experience through the grasslands. These works not only reproduce history, but also spread the "spirit of the meadow" to more people.
In economic construction, the "grassland spirit" also plays an important role. Many entrepreneurs incorporate the tenacity and innovative spirit of the "Meadow Spirit" into their corporate culture, motivating employees to move forward in the market competition. Some entrepreneurs even compare their entrepreneurial experience to "crossing the meadow" to motivate themselves to overcome difficulties and achieve their goals.
In the battle of poverty alleviation, the "grassland spirit" has once again been fully embodied. Many poverty alleviation cadres have gone deep into remote mountainous areas to overcome various difficulties and help the local people shake off poverty and become rich. Their dedication and tenacity are the same as those of the Red Army soldiers on the grass.
In 2021, the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates its 100th anniversary. At this important moment, "fine sales of grassland" has been reaffirmed and carried forward as one of the party's fine traditions. The CPC Central Committee called on the whole Party to study the spirit of the Long March, which includes the spirit of arduous struggle and perseverance formed on the grassland.
5. The modern value of grassland: ecological protection and sustainable development
With the development of the times, the former "Death Meadow" has not only become an important ecological barrier, but also has shown great value in ecological protection and sustainable development. The change of fate of this grassland reflects the change of human attitude towards nature, and also provides a valuable reference for future development.
In terms of ecological protection, the Songpan grassland has become an important ecological barrier in western China. In 2005, the state launched the project of "returning grazing land to grassland", which has been widely implemented in the Songpan grassland. By reducing grazing pressure, the ecological environment of the grassland has been further improved. By 2010, the grassland vegetation coverage rate had reached more than 85%, an increase of nearly 30 percentage points from the 80s of the 20th century.
In 2012, an important scientific result was published: the Songpan grassland can absorb about 5 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. This discovery has led to the realization that grasslands are not only an important ecological barrier, but also an important "weapon" in the fight against climate change. Since then, the protection of grasslands has taken on a new significance.
In 2015, an international team of scientists discovered a new butterfly species in the Songpan grassland. The discovery of this butterfly, named "Songpan Blue Gray Butterfly", not only enriches the local biodiversity, but also provides new material for global biological research. This discovery has attracted extensive attention from the international academic community and further highlights the ecological value of Songpan grassland.
In terms of sustainable development, the Songpan grassland has also shown great potential. In 2008, the local government began to promote ecological animal husbandry. This model not only protects the grassland ecology, but also improves the quality of livestock products. By 2015, organic yak meat from Songpan grassland had become a local specialty and was exported to all parts of the country.
In 2010, the Songpan grassland began to develop eco-tourism. The local government has set a strict tourism plan, limiting the number of tourists and requiring all tourism activities to comply with ecological protection regulations. This sustainable tourism model not only protects the grassland ecology, but also provides a new source of income for local residents. By 2020, ecotourism has become one of the pillar industries in the region.
In 2013, an innovative ecological compensation mechanism was piloted in the Songpan grassland. This mechanism provides financial compensation to local herders based on the ecological service function of grasslands. This not only improves the enthusiasm of herders to protect grasslands, but also provides new ideas for solving the contradiction between ecological protection and economic development.
In 2016, the Songpan Grassland became one of China's first "National Park System Pilots". This marks a new stage in the management of grasslands. The management model of national parks pays more attention to the balance between ecological protection and sustainable use, which provides an institutional guarantee for the long-term development of grasslands.
In 2018, an innovative "grassland carbon sequestration trading" was launched in the Songpan grassland. Through this mechanism, companies can offset their own carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits from grasslands. This not only provides a new source of funding for grassland conservation, but also promotes the development of a low-carbon economy.
In 2020, an innovative "grassland biodiversity database" was established in the Songpan grassland. This database uses advanced information technology to monitor and record changes in grassland biodiversity in real time. This not only provides valuable data for scientific research, but also provides important support for the scientific management of grasslands.
In 2021, Songpan Grassland was listed as a "National Key Ecological Function Zone". This means that the protection and management of grasslands will receive more policy support and financial investment. In the same year, an innovative project called "Grassland+" was launched, which aims to deeply integrate grassland resources with modern industries and explore new paths for sustainable development of grasslands.
In 2022, an international cooperation project was launched in the Songpan grassland. The project brings together scientists from several countries to study the response of highland grassland ecosystems to climate change. This not only enhances the status of Songpan grassland in the international academic community, but also provides an important scientific basis for the global response to climate change.
In 2023, Songpan Grassland will become China's first "Smart Grassland" demonstration area. Through the use of advanced technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence, the refined management and efficient utilization of grassland resources have been realized. This innovative model not only improves the ecological and economic benefits of grasslands, but also provides a reference for grassland management in other regions.
Today's Songpan grassland has become a model of ecological protection and sustainable development. It is not only an important ecological barrier, but also maintains the ecological security of the western region; It is also a treasure trove of biodiversity and provides valuable material for global biological research; It is also a testing ground for sustainable development, exploring a new model of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
From the "Death Meadow" to the ecological treasure house to the model of sustainable development, the changes of Songpan Grassland not only bear witness to the achievements of China's ecological civilization construction, but also provide useful inspiration for global ecological protection and sustainable development. It tells us that as long as we adhere to the concept of ecological priority and green development, we can achieve the unity of ecological, economic and social benefits.