As an important ecological barrier and cultural cradle of China, the ecological governance effectiveness of the Yellow River Basin not only concerns the sustainable development of the region, but also has a profound impact on the ecological security and coordinated economic and social development of ethnic minority areas. This paper takes some ethnic minority areas in the Yellow River Basin as the research object, focusing on three major dimensions: ecological protection, ecological construction, and development paths. It systematically sorts out the ecological protection model combining natural restoration and artificial intervention, explores the construction path of the integration of ecological engineering and industry, and proposes differentiated green development strategies based on the characteristics of ethnic regions. It aims to provide theoretical references and practical guidance for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin.