Senior Sichuan officials said yesterday that they had closed 78 mines and polluting companies in the habitat of the giant panda by the end of last year to provide a better home for the endangered species.

Cui Guangyi, deputy secretary-general of the provincial government, told a press conference the construction of three power stations was suspended and over 180 enterprises required to make technical improvements to reduce pollution.

The State Council has approved the giant pandas' habitat as China's sole nominee for the UNESCO Word Heritage Natural List in 2006.

"We hope our efforts will pay off at the World Heritage Congress to be held next year, where our application will be put to a vote by experts," said Cui.

The habitat of giant pandas in the Qionglai Mountain range in Sichuan includes Wolong Nature Reserve, and Siguniang and Jiajin mountains, said Zhang Hu, director of the provincial working office for world heritage sites.

Zhang said the area covers 9,510 sq km and includes eight natural reserves and nine scenic zones. It is home to about 300 wild giant pandas.

"The next step is to restore vegetation in the panda's habitat," said Cui.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2005)