FUTIAN District launched a series of events to promote International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem at Shenzhen Book City CBD Store on Tuesday, in honor of the occasion that fell yesterday.

According to the latest data, Shenzhen boasts a total of 35,000 hectares of wetlands, with 296 hectares dedicated to mangroves. Over half of the mangrove trees grow in the Shenzhen Bay area.

Shenzhen has been actively engaged in the ongoing ecological restoration of the Shenzhen River and Fengtang River estuaries, focusing on creating an ecological environment suitable for water birds. The number of black-faced spoonbills spending nights at the ponds in the Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve has exceeded 150, marking a record high for the Futian section of Shenzhen Bay.

The series of events will employ various means to raise awareness about the importance of protecting mangrove forests. Leveraging the impact of international organizations, documentaries, celebrities, exhibitions, and specialized trains, among others, they aim to reach a broader audience.

Sun Lili, co-founder of the Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation, expressed her hope that these events would play an exemplary role, further enhancing the recognition of mangrove restoration and urging citizens to safeguard mangrove trees as they would protect their own eyes.

As a result of the Shenzhen Bay wetland restoration project, there has been a significant increase in biodiversity. The current number of bird species recorded in the Shenzhen River estuary has risen to 167, an increase of 75 species compared to before the estuary underwent restoration. During one survey, a total of 3,740 birds were recorded in the area. (Chen Siqi)