On Mar 22, volunteers of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) reported that the river relegation and solidification project of Huaihe River in Yuanshi County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province would displace sand martins from their breeding ground in this reach, putting their lives under great danger. The departments concerned have attached great importance to it and promptly invited experts of CBCGDF to Yuanshi County. On Apr 3, our experts arrived and conducted fieldwork, in which they achieved great results despite a thorny journey. At night when the fieldwork completed, Yuanshi Water-Control Bureau issued a notice: Given the need to maintain the flood flowing channel while protecting ecology and wild animals, the government will take experts and social advice into account. That means that the government will accept constructive suggestions to build a new landscape in Huaihe River wetland, where man-nature harmony can be secured.

On April 4, the second day after the visit of the CBCGDF Sand Martin Protection Expert Taskforce, relevant departments of Yuanshi County together with the CBCGDF Black Stork Reserved Area and CBCGDF Sand Martin Reserved Area erected protection signs on two sandbanks. Meanwhile, iron perimeter fences have been established around the sandbanks to prevent further destruction caused by construction or residents. Therefore, the ecological "red line" to protect the sand martin has been placed, demonstrating our commitment and resolution for protection.   

Nevertheless, the "red line" is far from enough. We have to consider the further plan for the two sandbanks, making them more suitable breeding grounds for sand martin. Right after the Tomb-Sweeping Festival, officials of Yuanshi County and two directors of CBCGDF Sand Martin Reserved Area (Zhengzhou City) came to the second sandbank again regardless of the wind blue warning signal and finally defined the north and south boundary for the sandbank. So far, the homeland for sand martins have been maintained and well protected, waiting for their upcoming migration and breeding.

CBCGDF thinks highly of the proactive action of the Yuanxian Government. We hope that, under the leadership of the government, people can coordinate with CBCGDF Black Stork Reserved Area and CBCGDF Sand Martin Reserved Area to better protect the only habitat for sand martin. Let’s look forward to sand martin’s return and the new lives they’re going to breed. We believe that those sandbanks can be the paradise for birds. Once again, we need to balance the need between ecological conservation and economic development, only in this way can we really protect the sand martin!

(Photo credit: CBCGDF)

Original Chinese article:

http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4854/11986.html

By / Huang Jin Modified / Maggie