China's best-known symbol will be digitally mapped in a bid to
protect it better, the
Beijing Youth Daily has reported.
The Great Wall of China will be examined using air remote
sensing technology, which will determine which part falls under
which province's jurisdiction, and how much there is of it.
Under the unified arrangement of the State Administration of
Cultural Heritage, the wall will be measured kilometer by kilometer
and divided into sections.
Milestones or monuments will be installed at each section,
recording the mileage and protection measures in place for that
section.
The government will collect funds and employ volunteers to
protect the Great Wall section by section.
Dong Yaohui, vice-president of the Great Wall Society, said the
monuments will help local people and tourists appreciate their
responsibility for the protection of the wall.
All the data acquired in the survey and other historical
information will be included in a brand new database for the Great
Wall.
The database will be updated in time to provide accountable
information for protection, study or educational activities.
The man-made wonder is known to some tourists for only some
comparatively complete and restored sections, such as Badaling and
Juyongguan.
But many of the truly ancient parts are scattered among the
mountains, awaiting discovery and recording by scientists.
(China Daily October 5, 2004)