The natural

He has memorized the names and properties of numerous wild plants based on what he learned from traditional Tibetan medicine lists, treating himself with wild herbs when he fell ill.

In 2017, Sa Karma decided to share what he saw, felt and learned by spending over 10,000 yuan on printing an illustrated handbook on ecological protection, which contains pictures of the landscape, plants, birds and wild animals he took in the mountains.

He also made a 4-square-meter sand sculpture that models his village and the surrounding landscape, with all the places he had been.

His hefty backpack is full at most times, stuffed with food supplies in readiness for his departure, or trash he has cleared away during his travels in the mountains.

One night in his home village, the clear mountain sky is hung with stars. Sa Karma felt the heartbeat of the earth, closed his eyes and spread his arms outward.

Unashamed of his wild appearance, he chanted episodes from the legendary epic of King Gesar, lauding Mother Nature and praying for her blessings. Gesar was an 11th century hero who fought evil and helped the weak, and whose exploits have been told by folk artists for centuries. "I'm the son of Sanjiangyuan, and the way I look is just a reconnection with nature," Sa Karma said.

Xinhua