Recently, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) has received feedback from its volunteers that a large area of weeds at the Tianjin Qilihai National Wetland Park and the nearby Old Seashore Nature Reserve has been harvested mechanically, uprooting over 350 oriental white storks who intended to have a stopover in the migration season, which greatly increases the risk of storks being poached. The oriental white stork is the first-class national protected animal.
The volunteers of CBCGDF say that the harvest of weeds in the Qilihai wetland has severely threatened the habitat of oriental white storks. This timid creature is apt to be frightened and interfered by the roar of harvesters, or even leave the current habitats. It is roughly estimated that there are more than 350 oriental white storks stay in the Qilihai wetland. Although visitors are not allowed to enter into the wetland, bushy weeds contribute to creating a pleasant environment for these migratory birds.
However, it won’t take a long time to disturb the site where these storks stay if we estimate on the basis of the current harvest rate.
As President Xi Jinping stresses at the National Conference on Environmental Protection, the environment is a major political issue that bears upon the mission and purpose of the CPC as well as a major social issue that bears upon public wellbeing. A blue sky, starry nights, lucid waters and lush mountains, pleasant rural landscapes and peace of mind about what they eat and where they live…these are the active responses to people’s desires, hopes, and anxieties. We should recognize the importance of improving the ecological environment of Tianjin, so as to step up the development of ecological civilization
We have no intention to deny the positive role of cutting up weeds. Rotten weeds pollute the environment, influence the growth of future generations and pose a danger of causing a fire. We recommend continuing the harvest of weeds after the migratory birds leave. The most appropriate measure should reflect the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature as Present Xi proposed.
We hereby suggest Tianjin relevant departments to reconsider the period of weed harvest based on scientific analysis, and practice the guidance of Ecological Civilization in every decision and action we made.
The oriental white stork is an endangered species. Only when we spare no effort to preserve their living environment, can we see it in Tianjin in the next winter.
Volunteers of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation
December 26, 2019
(Photo credit: CBCGDF volunteers)
Original Chinese article:
http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4854/10818.html
By / Wang Yanqing