The project aims to rehabilitate thousands of hectares of degraded wetlands, as well as two coastal forest farms, in order to provide ecological protection to the nature reserves.
The restoration includes clearing water canals and land contours, converting fishponds back to wetlands, controlling the spread of invasive species, improving waste management facilities and introducing sustainable forest management practices.
19 December 2011: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced that it has agreed a US$37 million loan to China for the preservation of wetlands. The money will be used by the Chinese Government to preserve wetlands of internationally recognized importance.
According to the ADB, the project aims to rehabilitate thousands of hectares of degraded wetlands, as well as two coastal forest farms, in order to provide ecological protection to the nature reserves. ADB says the restoration includes clearing water canals and land contours to promote the return of river flows to “rehydrate” dry areas of wetlands. Other activities include converting fishponds back to wetlands, controlling the spread of invasive species, improving waste management facilities and introducing sustainable forest management practices.
The programme also includes an eco-compensation component to encourage local agricultural and aquacultural farmers to adopt biodiversity and wetland-friendly farming practices. Eco-compensation measures may include cash-based incentives, skills training, and extension services on production, certification, marketing and sales of biodiversity-friendly, organic products. [ADB Press Release]