The Qinghai provincial government in northwest China has decided to close the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve on January 1, 2000 after eight farmers died there this year.

All businesses in the nature reserve will be considered illegal beginning that day, according to the ban.

The nature reserve, located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is 5, 000 meters above sea level, and has gold resources. At the same time it is home to more than 20 rare species under state protection, including the yak and the Tibetan antelope.

Over 1,000 farmers entered the nature reserve illegally this year, looking for gold or poaching wild animals, damaging the ecological environment and natural resources of the area.