Hundreds of Swans Gathering in Beijing LakeMore than 500 swans have been found swimming around Miyun Reservoir in suburbs of Beijing, accompanied by a large group of mallards.The number of this spring's swans around the lake hit a record in recent years. Along with the swans, thousands of mallards and ruddy sheldrakes under second-class state-level protection are swimming on the water. Wang Zengnian, a famous ornithologist, attributes the recent migration and temporary stay here to the reservoir's good environment, clean water, abundant food supply and wildlife protection effort. The local government has so far planted 1.34 million mu (about 89,000 hectares) trees around the reservoir, increasing the forest coverage rate by 80 percent. Meanwhile, the air quality at the reservoir has reached level- two or good. The Miyun Reservoir, with an area of 188 square kilometers and water storage of 4.3 billion cubic meters, is a major source of Beijing's drinking water. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |