Published : 22/06/2024
What needs to be done for the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)?
In Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (the Development Plan), mentions seven major tasks.
This series examines achievements across seven areas, spotlighting ecological development and civilisation construction in the GBA cities in this article.
Zhaoqing Dinghu Mountain with rich biodiversity network
Zhaoqing Dinghushan National Nature Reserve (hereinafter referred to as "Dinghushan Reserve"), with a total area of 1,133 hectares, is China's first national nature reserve and the only one affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In 2019, the Development Plan proposed advancing ecological civilisation construction by building ecological corridors and biodiversity protection networks. It enhanced ecological system quality and stability, and creating ecological protection barriers.
Since its establishment in 1956, Dinghushan Reserve has served as a species treasury - hosting 30% of the higher plant species in Guangdong Province and 68 species of key national protected wild plants.
There are 62 species of key national wild animals, including rare species such as the black stork, small Indian civet, and Chinese pangolin.
And there are 836 identified species of large fungi, showcasing rich biodiversity, earning its reputation as a "living natural museum."
In June 2023, the Zhaoqing city government signed an agreement with the South China Botanical Garden to jointly build the "Dinghushan Ecological Civilization Demonstration Zone".
It aimed at strengthening ecological resource conservation and accelerating the integration of Guangdong (Zhaoqing) Botanical Garden into the South China National Botanical Garden system, providing strong support for biodiversity protection in the GBA.
Guangzhou Haizhu Wetland: Guardian of urban ecology
Located in the southeastern part of Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangzhou Haizhu National Wetland Park (Haizhu Wetland) is the first national wetland park in Guangzhou and the only key national wetland park in Guangdong Province, playing an important role in improving the urban climate and ecological environment.
The Development Plan emphasises strengthening wetland conservation and restoration and fully protecting important international and national wetlands within the region.
In 2021, the Guangzhou city government mentioned in the Notice of the People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality on Issuing the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of Guangzhou and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 that it is essential to protect, build, and enhance six major key ecological parks, including Haizhu Wetland.
Haizhu Wetland has opened three major areas - Haizhu Lake, Phase I, and Phase II of the wetland. Haizhu Lake covers about 95 hectares and is the first large-scale ecological project in Haizhu District that combines water conservancy engineering.
The first phase of the wetland covers approximately 67 hectares, focusing on integrating the characteristics of the Lingnan water village into the wetland scenery. This is the core area and ecological wetland zone of the Haizhu Wetland.
The second phase spans around 204 hectares, primarily enhancing biodiversity, including providing an ideal habitat for birds. As of January 2023, the number of bird species has increased to 187, nearly tripling the original count.
Currently, Haizhu Wetland has formed a wetland scenic area covering more than 350 hectares, becoming the only national wetland park located on the central axis of a super-large city in China.
With a wetland rate of 79.4%, it is known as the "green heart" of Guangzhou.
Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve promotes Shenzhen-HK cooperation
The Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve, located on the northern shore of Shenzhen Bay, covers an area of 367.6 hectares.
It is the only national-level nature reserve situated within the urban heartland of China and the world's first "International Mangrove Centre".
Dedicated primarily to the conservation of mangroves and bird species, it is separated by a river from the Mai Po Wetlands in Hong Kong.
The Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve, together with the Hong Kong Mai Po Reserve, forms the mangrove wetland ecosystem of the Houhai Bay.
In recent years, Shenzhen has been working on the Shenzhen Wetland Protection Plan (2021-2035), planning to create an internationally important wetland centered on the Futian Mangrove Wetland.
This will enhance the overall protection of the Shenzhen Bay-Hong Kong Mai Po Wetland group.
The Development Plan also mentions strengthening ecological environmental protection cooperation in the GBA to jointly improve the ecological environment system.
In January 2023, Shenzhen and Hong Kong jointly signed the Shenzhen Bay (Houhai Bay) Wetland Conservation Cooperation Framework Agreement.
The Futian National Nature Reserve (including the Mangrove Nature Reserve) and the Mai Po Nature Reserve have formed "sister reserves" to carry out exchanges and cooperation in smart monitoring, ecological baseline surveys, and nature education activities, promoting a comprehensive enhancement of the wetland ecological carrying capacity in both regions.
Read more: Cycling in Shenzhen: Top 4 must-ride routes for beginners