Protecting the Serenity of a Mountain

Recently China's Mount Wutai was added to the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. "Overall, the buildings on the site present a catalogue of the way Buddhist architecture developed and influenced palace building in China over more than one millennium," UNESCO says. "Temples have been built on the site since the 1st century AD to the early 20th century."

To pave the way for the recognition of Mount Wutai, the government of China "pulled down" much of the historic village of Taihuai. The Guardian reported over a year ago that the people of Taihuai were being displaced. Exactly what has happened to the people of Taihuai since then I do not know.

Today Xinhua, the Chinese government's news agency, says of Mount Wutai,

The increasing population around the mountain in Taihuai Town had undermined the landscape and the religious atmosphere, said Han Ruijie, director of the world heritage office of Wutai Mountain ... Since 2006, the government pulled down many inharmonious constructions to protect the "Buddhism atmosphere," Han said.

"The mountain has became more serene after the 'pulling down', which is good for religious practice," said Jamyang Molam, director of administration of the Pusading Lamasery.

Nobody likes agitated mountains, I suppose, so I am glad Mount Wutai is more serene. But I am curious about what happened to the people of Taihuai.