Increasing Efforts in Wetlands Protection

Although the task of protection is arduous and there’s still a long way to go, China has progressed in its efforts since it joined the Convention on Wetlands in 1992.

During the 2006 to 2010 period, the central government invested a total of RMB 1.4 billion in wetlands protection, restoration, sustainable development and ecological functions building. So far 201 wetlands-protection-related projects have been carried out across the country, with the counterpart fund provided by local governments exceeding RMB 1.7 billion.

The Chinese government has attached more and more importance to the restoration of wetlands’ ecological functions. The Chinese Communist Party Central Committee’s Proposal for the 12th Five- year Plan set a clear target to reverse ecosystem deterioration through conservation and natural restoration.

Moreover, there is other good news signaling a promising future for wetlands conservation, namely the government’s effort to promote an ecological compensation scheme and the central government’s set up of a special fund to assist wetlands conservation.

According to Yan Chenggao, so far 11 provinces in China have enacted regulations that impact wetlands conservation at that level of government. In 2010, China launched a national pilot granting a general wetlands conservation fund of RMB 200 million to subsidize projects.

More and more local governments have taken concrete action with campaigns for wetlands conservation.

“In order to achieve sustainable development and leave invaluable heritage for future generations, over 1,000 hectares of farmland have been converted back into wetlands in Fujin City of Heilongjiang Province. To restore the environment of the Honghu Lake, the government of Jingzhou City of Hubei Province has invested nearly RMB 70 million, removing fishing traps from 377,000 mu (1 hectare equals to 15 mu) and restoring 57,000 mu of wetlands. We can see a bright future for the cause of China’s wetlands conservation,” says Yan Chenggao.

Chen Kelin also happily notes that the Chinese government pays far more attention to wetlands protection than other developing countries.

“In the 1990s, many Chinese people had no idea what a wetland was. But now most people understand the importance of wetlands. I believe in the near future wetlands conservation consciousness will slowly filter into people’s minds. If China can balance its economic development with environment conservation, it’s certain that its people will, to a large degree, be able to enjoy the fruits of a rapid development and a good environment too,” asserts Chen Kelin.