Current location:Horizon Herald news portal > opinions
Birds, locals in harmony under China's wetland conservation
Horizon Herald news portal2024-05-01 14:28:43【opinions】0People have gathered around
IntroductionMigratory birds are seen in Chenhu Lake Wetland Nature Reserve in Wuhan, capital of central China's
Migratory birds are seen in Chenhu Lake Wetland Nature Reserve in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)
WUHAN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Hopping through reeds, guiding chicks to float and flutter, and sometimes soaring high in the sky, this summer more migratory birds have perched and bred in Chenhu Lake Wetland Nature Reserve in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province.
"The pheasant-tailed jacana is hatching eggs!" said Wei Bin, vice head of the Wuhan birding association and a photographer, pointing at the long-tailed bird with a chocolate brown body, golden neck and white face.
Since this spring, Wei has spotted some locally rare birds, including white cranes, greater flamingos and Chinese mergansers at the wetland, and used his lens to document their appearances and behaviors.
Over 20,000 migratory birds have been observed in the 11,579-hectare nature reserve this summer, according to Feng Jiang, an engineer who has been working for the management bureau of the reserve for the past 14 years.
Migratory birds are seen in Chenhu Lake Wetland Nature Reserve in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)
However, the number of birds around Chenhu Lake once declined drastically due to damage to the ecosystem.
"The polluted lake water was brown and stinky," said Feng, adding that the wetland reserve's water quality was rated below Grade V before 2019, the lowest level of China's five-tier water assessment system.
In the past three years, local authorities have restored over 5,200-hectare wetland, demolishing farming facilities and aquaculture nets enclosing the lake, said Feng.
Li Jianjun, a local wetland ranger, said, "I once did not care about the birds, but now I can identify many bird species."
His current job is to rescue wounded birds and prevent fowling and fishing activities. Li used to reap reeds in the lake, which were sold to paper fabricating plants as raw materials.
With more local paper mills shut down due to pollution concerns, all reeds workers of Li's cooperative have been reemployed as wetland rangers since 2019.
"We patrol the wetland three times a day," Li said.
Since 2017, over 6 million yuan (about 870,612 U.S. dollars) have been allocated to villages and their residents neighboring the reserve each year, for their environmental protection efforts, relocation, and living expenses.
With fewer human interferences, some birds sensitive to water quality have been observed. Last year, five Dalmatian pelicans, waterfowls with iconic giant beaks which have a population of less than 150 in East Asia, were spotted in the wetland, according to Feng.
"When a wild greater flamingo stood among a flock of little waterfowls, everyone was astonished," said Wei. He added that the migration route of the greater flamingo does not pass through central China, suggesting that this one might have wandered away from its peers during migration.
"The restored diverse ecology provided the flamingo with plenty of food such as algae, shellfish and insects, while the lush reed clusters were perfect shelters," said Wei. It spent the winter in the wetland and flew away this spring.
The number of bird species in the wetland had increased to 277 by 2021, including 14 species under national first-class protection and 50 under second-class protection.
A migratory bird is seen in Chenhu Lake Wetland Nature Reserve in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)
Chenhu Lake is one of 64 wetlands designated as wetlands of international importance in China. The country has also set up over 600 wetland nature reserves and 1,600 wetland parks.
The 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP14) will be held this November, with its main venue in Wuhan.
Fang Ying, Feng's colleague and director of the management bureau, said the reserve now focuses on connecting ponds, rivers and lakes.
"Water quality will improve once currents increase," said Fang. "Waterfowls will live in more diversified spaces and the biodiversity of the wetland will be strengthened." ■
Address of this article:http://paraguay.whetstonetavern.com/article-5d199936.html
Very good!(1)
Related articles
- Young giant panda Qing Ci dies from rare intestinal disorder
- China's real estate giant Evergrande files for bankruptcy
- UN suspends aid movements at night in Gaza
- 3 Body Problem: Lawyer sentenced to death for Lin Qi murder
- Police will not save us from gun violence: U.S. media
- How electorate candidates funded their campaigns
- Death toll rises in Taiwan's strongest earthquake in 25 years
- Dealing with fast spreading pest hits new milestone for Otago Regional Council
- Landmark loss and damage fund approved as UN climate conference closes in Egypt
- Colorado reporter's expulsion from Republican gathering causes uproar
Popular articles
Recommended
2023 Edition of 'Xi Jinping on the Belt and Road Initiative' Published
Four killed, several injured as race car hits spectators at Hungary rally
New Zealand being considered as potential AUKUS Pillar Two partner
Titanic 'door' prop that kept Rose alive sells for more than $1m
Xinhua Headlines
Tech industry plans for lower
Trump ordered to end attacks on judge's family in hush money case
Hong Kong arts charity cancels deaf dance group performance
Links
- Seedling Breeder Helps Farmers Attain Wealth by Developing Vegetable Cooperative
- Ganzhou: Cradle of Hakka Culture
- Tujia Woman Promotes Ethnic Culture Through Literature, Songs
- Ganzhou: Cradle of Hakka Culture
- Social Worker Warms Residents Through 'A Spoon of Rice'
- Entrepreneur Serves Motherland, Promotes Hometown's Development
- Scientific Team Contributes to Large Research Infrastructures for Country
- Technician Leads Team in Making Scientific, Technological Innovations
- Bringing Traditional Chinese Opera to Wider Audience
- Hou Hongqin: Working Hard to Ensure Qinqiang Opera Thrives