Nanchong promises ecological improvements

Adhering to the concept of green development, Nanchong, along the bank of the Jialing River for more than 2,200 years, has made remarkable efforts in preserving the natural environment and building itself into one of the most livable cities in China, according to local officials.

One of the key initiatives is the Jialing River wetland park, built in the city's Gaoping district. The park is known for its untouched scenery and leisurely activities.

Covering more than 180 hectares, the park is restored from a deserted island with a weak ecosystem and poor flood resistance. It is a vital ecological project launched by the local government in 2017 along the Jialing River, a tributary on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, flowing through Nanchong with a length of 289 kilometers.

"Through research and field investigation, special protection areas were established to reduce the influence brought by human factors," said Chen Guo, director ofthe garden department of Nanchong city.

After one year of hard work, the deserted island had been renovated into a wetland park with eight major scenic spots, two floating bridges and a 18-kilometer hiking trail.

The improved environment attracts many species of birds, creating a solid ecological chain.

The different landscape areas such as mulberry fields and ecological corridors bring various experiences to visitors. People can engage in outdoor sports and learn about local culture while watching a great show.

Statistics show the wetland park received nearly 1.3 million visits during this year's Spring Festival holiday. Starting in the heart of Nanchong and going upstream along the Jialing River is Pengan county, where sustainable development continues to be practiced.

Similar to Gaoping district, Peng'an has abundant wetland and other ecological resources.

In recent years, the county has strengthened the restoration of its ecosystems and pollution control. Officials plan to develop ecological tourism and construct a green park city. According to the government's plan, 10 theme parks and nearly 100 scenic spots will be built in the future, including already-completed projects such as the Xiangru Lake National Wetland Park.

Another famous scene is Bainiudujiang. As its name suggests, in a small village of Pengan, hundreds of cattle swim through the Jialing River in the morning, graze on the central island and return at dusk.

Such a grand scene appears repeatedly between April to October every year, attracting tourists from all over the country.

Besides the construction of ecological projects, the local government also advocates green production and lifestyles.

Enterprises are encouraged to use environmentally friendly materials and technologies. Local residents are guided to travel, consume and live in a green way.

Heading northwest along the Jialing River is Nanbu county, where a water city is on the rise.

Nanbu includes 78 km of the Jialing River, five lakes and 48 streams.

Thanks to its rich water resources, the Nanbu county government is making great efforts to advance the "Nanbu water city" project.

With the idea of embodying the harmony between water and city, the project includes some water sports and recreation, shopping streets and three riverside parks.

These parks can not only improve the ecosystem but bring people close to nature.

For the local residents' convenience and welfare, the Nanbu county government also launched the construction of a bridge, a school, two highways and several neighborhoods.

"When the whole project is completed in 2021, the modern ecological city fit for traveling, living and working will become a new landmark in Nanbu," said Huang Bo, head of Nanbu county.

(China Daily 09/17/2019 page26)