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Number of Nature Reserves To Reach 1,800 in 10 years
In the next 10 years, the number of China's nature reserves will increase to 1,800. By then they will cover 155 million hectares, 16.1 percent of the country¡¯s area. The result will be an all-inclusive natural protection network with formal regulations, according to the latest Beijing Review.
In accordance with the General Plan on the Protection of Wild Animals and Plants and the Construction of Nature Reserves issued by the State Forestry Bureau, and the western development strategy, in the next 10 years China will build a group of reserves in western areas with varied wildlife but fragile ecological environment. By 2010, the number of nature reserves will increase from 1,276 to 1,800, and a plan to protect, recover and develop wetlands sustainably will be implemented. Thirty-two demonstration sites will be launched to promote the protection of wetlands. Other key wildlife rescue projects include to build 32 wild animal and plant monitoring centers.
By the end of 2000, 1,276 reserves had been established, covering 123 million hectares or 10.6 percent of the area of China. These reserves protect most of the rare and endangered wild species and their habitats. The reserves also protect about 20 million hectares of primeval forest and 12 million hectares of wetlands. Among them, 19 reserves, including the Changbaishan Reserve and the Shennongjia Reserve, were registered with the International Human and Ecological Circle Protection Network. Seven were listed in the International Wetlands Protocol and another three will be included in the East Asia-Australia Bird Migration Network. The reserves in China have made great efforts to protect wildlife and global biological diversity.
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