Shandong's Juye turns waste land into ecological garden

In recent days, the Longmei ecological wetland in Longbu town, Juye county, Shandong has become a picturesque place where rare birds like egrets and swans nest and thrive, surrounded by lush vegetation of over 20 species of ferns, algae, and aquatic plants, painting a beautiful picture of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

However, many years ago, Longbu town, as the central area of the Juye coalfield in Shandong, suffered extensive land subsidence due to prolonged coal mining, resulting in over 13,500 mu (900 hectares) of subsidence areas.

"The subsidence not only destroyed the original farmland and environment but also threatened the production and livelihoods of surrounding residents, with cracked houses and unproductive farmlands becoming common sights," said Bi Xiuwen, deputy town chief of Longbu town.

Facing this grim reality, Longbu town, relying on its mining enterprises, tailored solutions to different areas and pioneered a dynamic land reclamation model. Through precise forecasting, proactive governance, topsoil removal, and deep excavation, the town maximized the protection of arable land resources and improved its environment.

Building upon its environmental restoration efforts, Longbu town actively promotes diversified industrial development. The planned Longmei Agricultural Ecological Park covers sectors such as nursery gardens, facility agriculture, livestock farming, and tourism.

With lush nursery gardens spanning 7,500 mu and around 2.6 million plants, state-of-the-art intelligent greenhouses, and a flourishing tourism industry, the town has turned the former coal subsidence area into a comprehensive park integrating nature, agriculture, and tourism.

The revitalized Longbu town has not only achieved an environmental transformation but also created a win-win scenario for environmental restoration and economic development. Former farmers who lost their land due to coal mining have transitioned into industrial workers in the park, securing stable local employment.

Looking ahead, Longbu town will continue to improve subsidence land governance to ensure the continuous emergence of green dividends from this once subsided land. (Edited by Xie Zhenzhen)

Longbu town, Juye county, Shandong turns the former coal subsidence area into a comprehensive park integrating nature, agriculture, and tourism. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]