In China’s Kumtag Desert, local authorities have found an innovative solution for regulate camel trafficwhich has become problematic due to the large influx of tourists. Camel riding is an increasingly popular attraction in the region, particularly around Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring, places that attract tens of thousands of visitors every year.
In this context they were installed traffic lights to avoid traffic jamsan idea as original as it is functional. The system includes traffic lights that regulate the passage of animalsallowing them to cross when the light is green, while tourists on foot must stop during red lights.
This measure has become necessary especially during the spring festival tourism peak, when the flow of people and camels exceeds the infrastructure’s handling capacity. With around 2,400 camels employed on tours and millions of visitors, the risk of accidents or congestion was high.
Wouldn’t it be better to think about animal welfare?
Although camel traffic lights may seem like an ingenious and at times bizarre solution that can make you smile, we cannot help but reflect on their installation. The use of camels for tourism purposes, although traditional, continues raise ethical and animal welfare issues.
Camels, animals that live in extreme environments and play important roles for local populations, come often exploited to attract tourists. While tourism contributes to the local economy, the intensive use of these animals at times under the scorching desert heatcan lead to physical and psychological stress for them.
Furthermore, tourist overcrowding in some of these areas risks compromise the ecological balance and put natural resources to the test. The traffic light solution, while practical, does not resolve the issue of animal treatment. It would be more appropriate to rethink the management of these tourist attractions so that the experience can be less impactful for animals and the environmentpromoting more sustainable and respectful forms of tourism.
