A five-year mangrove forest and wetland protection project
jointly launched by China and Holland is expected to start at the
end of this year in south China’s
Hainan Province with a total investment of 300 million yuan
(US$37.5 million).
This is the first international cooperative project on creating
shelter belts to protect the coastline in Hainan Province. Three
environmental protection experts from the Netherlands arrived
recently to finalize the plans.
The Dutch government will provide free aid for 35 percent of the
total investment while the remainder will be met by the Chinese
side according to the plan.
The project aims to enhance construction and management of
Dongzhaigang State-level Nature Reserve and Qinglangang Mangrove
Reserve, to develop an environmentally friendly shelter belt to
protect the coastline.
The project includes establishment of a 3000-hectare shelter
belt and the development of a demonstration zone on protection of
biodiversity and mangrove forest recovery and management. It is
also designed to improve the capability of relevant departments in
charge of mangrove resource management through training programs
and improve local residents’ awareness of environmental
protection.
Mangrove forests can not only effectively defend against coastal
erosion caused by wind and tides but also provide habitats for
various species. According to Dutch expert, Wim Giesen, a decrease
of one hectare of mangrove forest can result in heavy fish
losses.
In the past 50 years the area of mangrove forests in Hainan has
fallen from 10,000 hectares to 3,900 hectares due to human
activities.
It’s said the protection and development of mangrove forests is
included in the country’s
11th Five-Year development plan. Last July Hainan Province
completed its primary strategic plan on mangrove protection and
development, according to Hainan Daily.
(China.org.cn by Li Shen, May 13, 2006)