Zhang Qian

    zhqcindy@163.com

    A MANGROVE ecological park in Futian District is now open to the public. The park has a mangrove forest and is home to rare birds.

    To the east of the Futian Mangrove National Nature Reserve, Futian Mangrove Ecological Park is separated by the Shenzhen River from the Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hong Kong.

    The park covers 38 hectares and has a scenic area, an ecological restoration area and an ecological control zone.

    “The ecological park is designed to promote the public’s awareness of environmental protection as well as serve as a scenic spot for recreation,” said Xu Youwei, director of the water affairs office of Futian District, who was involved in the early planning and construction of the park.

    The park project began in 2012. Five institutions were involved with the construction of the park, including the People’s Armed Forces Department of Futian District.

    Xu said at the park’s opening ceremony yesterday that the goal had been to restore the ecosystem in the area. The Futian Government spent 300 million yuan (US$47 million) restoring the ecosystem and making the area suitable for animals.

    According to Xu, apart from restoring the environment, asking landowners to make room for the ecological park was the biggest challenge.

    (Continued on P3)

    Private groups, army [ARMY WHAT?? Army base?] and ferry terminals had to be moved from the area.

    Xu said that the ecological park is different from the Nanshan Mangrove Park because the new park not fully open to the public and one of the main functions of the park is to promote environmental awareness.

    Only part of the ecological park is open to residents, with some areas serving as plant and bird research sites.

    The Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation, a NGO dedicated to preserving the mangrove tress in Shenzhen, will manage the ecological park. Wang Shi, the president of Vanke Property and also the president of the foundation also appeared at the ceremony.

    Ways to get to the ecological park:

    Residents can take buses to the “Mangrove Forest” station in Futian District and walk about 400 meters to get to the park entrance.

    Exit C1 on at the Qiaocheng East Station is the closest Metro exit to the park.