Phuntsok reports that unique animal species in Thalung areas in Gyama Shang under Meldro Gonkar county are threatened with execution not just by mining, but also as a result of Chinese practices.
While Tibetans are strictly prohibited from possessing firearms, Chinese officials routinely hunt rabbit, musk deer, bharal (blue) sheep, white lipped deer, and gowa (Tibetan gazelle) in the area. Every 15 to 16 days the skins are dried in the open air and then taken to the Chinese market where they fetch a good price.