A five-year mangrove forest and wetland protection project jointly launched by China and Holland is expected to start at the end of this year in south China’s Hainan Province with a total investment of 300 million yuan (US$37.5 million).

This is the first international cooperative project on creating shelter belts to protect the coastline in Hainan Province. Three environmental protection experts from the Netherlands arrived recently to finalize the plans.

The Dutch government will provide free aid for 35 percent of the total investment while the remainder will be met by the Chinese side according to the plan.

The project aims to enhance construction and management of Dongzhaigang State-level Nature Reserve and Qinglangang Mangrove Reserve, to develop an environmentally friendly shelter belt to protect the coastline.

The project includes establishment of a 3000-hectare shelter belt and the development of a demonstration zone on protection of biodiversity and mangrove forest recovery and management. It is also designed to improve the capability of relevant departments in charge of mangrove resource management through training programs and improve local residents’ awareness of environmental protection.

Mangrove forests can not only effectively defend against coastal erosion caused by wind and tides but also provide habitats for various species. According to Dutch expert, Wim Giesen, a decrease of one hectare of mangrove forest can result in heavy fish losses.

In the past 50 years the area of mangrove forests in Hainan has fallen from 10,000 hectares to 3,900 hectares due to human activities.

It’s said the protection and development of mangrove forests is included in the country’s 11th Five-Year development plan. Last July Hainan Province completed its primary strategic plan on mangrove protection and development, according to Hainan Daily.

(hzvt.com by Li Shen, May 13, 2006)