China to Build World's Largest Wetland ReserveChina has decided to build a state-level wetland reserve at the sources of Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers to protect the largest highland wetland in the world from deterioration.Application on the establishment of the preserve has been submitted to the Qinghai Provincial Government and is expected to be approved by the State Council, China's highest governing body, at the end of this year, said Lu Wenzheng, an official of the provincial department of agriculture and forestry. The would-be reserve is to cover an area of 236,000 square kilometers with a population of 262,000. It will be divided into three parts, the central area, buffer zone and demonstration zone. The central area comprises heads of the three rivers, marshland and habitat of wildlife. It will be closed to livestock grazing. Its surrounding areas will be the buffer zone where herdsmen are allowed to graze sheep and cattle. The demonstration zone is to be built at nearby towns and farmland for ecological and tourism development. China plans to build more wetland reserves in its northeast and northwest regions, and will work to get more of China's wetlands added to the list of Wetlands of International Importance this year. Since the country signed the Wetlands Convention of International Importance, Especially in Waterfowl Habitats, in 1992, seven of the country's wetland sites have been included on the international list. Wetland area has been declining in China, especially in recent years, due to population growth and rapid economic development. |
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