The transition from scars to lush greenery, shore orchids, and migratory birds returning to their nests:
West Dongting Lake is one of the hotspots for biodiversity conservation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. With a unique geographical location and outstanding ecological protection value, the wetland contains abundant biological resources. The West Dongting Lake wetland is an important channel for the migration of waterbirds in East Asia and Australia, and an important component of the biodiversity conservation system in Dongting Lake and even the entire Yangtze River Basin.
After the implementation of the 2022 Hunan West Dongting Lake International Important Wetland Protection and Restoration Project and Ecological Benefit Compensation Project, good social, ecological, and economic benefits have been achieved. Firstly, through the restoration project of degraded wetlands, the habitat environment and wetland ecosystem of birds in West Dongting Lake have been greatly improved, and the wetland ecological environment has been effectively restored. Moreover, through vegetation restoration, the vegetation in the black poplar logging area has been quickly restored, making its habitat more suitable for fish and bird habitats. The second is to achieve water system connectivity through ecological dredging measures, ensuring necessary channels for the breeding and migration of migratory fish, and providing necessary transportation conditions for monitoring and patrol. Thirdly, through the implementation of protection and restoration measures, the awareness of protecting the ecological environment of the people around the protected area has been enhanced.
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(Earthwork excavation for the West Dongting Lake International Important Wetland Protection and Restoration Project)
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(Ecological dredging and cleaning of alien species of water hyacinth)
A hundred birds sing to the west of Dongting, reproducing the poetic "shore Zhi Tinglan":
In recent days, groups of national second level protected bird species, the Little Swan, have settled in the waters of Qingshan Lake in the West Dongting Lake wetland, seeking food, chasing and playing, beautiful and elegant. Along with them dancing in the wetlands of West Dongting Lake, in addition to common migratory birds such as gray geese and spotted ducks, there are also national first-class protected birds such as black storks, white storks, and white headed cranes.
Zhuang Bencan, a staff member of the Hunan West Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve Management Bureau: The Hunan West Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve Management Bureau has strengthened the protection and restoration of the West Dongting Lake wetland through a series of measures such as patrol law enforcement, creating a disc-shaped lake, and planting aquatic plants, providing safe and suitable habitat conditions for overwintering birds.
The most beautiful West Dongting Lake, migratory birds welcome the world. It is our duty to return the clear water of Dongting Lake and preserve the vitality of the Yangtze River's kidneys. Nowadays, with 30000 hectares of West Dongting Lake, the reeds are dancing, birds are flying, and fish are leaping. The scenery is different throughout the year, and every day is full of various forms.
Under the blue sky, people and birds share their homeland. The West Dongting Lake Qingshan Lake Migratory Bird Garden guides everyone to get close to birds and be kind to them, mobilizing the whole society to jointly care for wetlands, Dongting Lake, and nature, better protecting bird watching destinations and building a beautiful Dongting Lake.