Kunsangyi now raises sheep for Gansu Anduo Investment Group, the largest local meat producer. One sheep can be sold to the company for 2,000 yuan ($32.70) to the company, and he raked in more than 100,000 yuan last year.

Wang Zhirong, chairman of Gansu Anduo, said better pasture meant better supply and quality of livestock, with herders now making more money from their traditional way of life.

Over the past decade, Gannan has banned herding in 8.87 million mu of grassland, and restricted herding in 28.55 million mu. On top of that 613,000 mu of eroded grasslands has been revegetated, according to Yang Changde, director of Gannan Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau.

"Harmony between man and nature" is a major theme in ancient Chinese philosophy, but the rush to make money in modern China has often left the ecosystem behind.

For Kelsang Namtso, shifting his focus from quantity to quality was not easy. When the preservation measures were first introduced, he would sometimes break into closed pastures to herd his sheep.

"But gradually I realized that only if I respect nature can I benefit from it," said Kelsang Namtso. The 31-year-old herder in Luqu, another county of Gannan, made nearly 100,000 yuan last year by looking after his pasture and raising fatter sheep.

Mao Shengwu, head of Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, said the beautiful grassland is one of the most precious treasures of Tibetan herders.

"If the grassland is preserved and exploited scientifically, it will become a huge 'green bank' for Tibetan herders," Mao said.