At the 46th World Heritage Committee session in New Delhi, India, the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying, East China's Shandong province, was added to the World Heritage List as one of the "Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase II)".
The Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve, with its pristine wetland ecosystem, is a crucial stopover for migratory birds on the East Asia-Australasia Flyway. This flyway spans from the Arctic through Southeast Asia to Oceania, covering 22 countries.
An aerial view of the wetland environment in the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve. [Photo/WeChat Account: gh_47af4d4aef7f]
The reserve's successful inscription is not only due to its inherent qualities but also to its ongoing conservation efforts.
For years, the reserve has invested significantly in ecological restoration. With over 1.36 billion yuan ($188.3 million) invested, more than 20,000 hectares of wetland have been restored. The number of plant species has grown from 393 in 1995 to 685 today, while the number of bird species has increased from 187 to 373, including a rise in rare and endangered species.
Endangered bird species are spotted in the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve. [Photo/WeChat Account: gh_47af4d4aef7f]
To enhance research and monitoring capabilities, the reserve has partnered with national research institutions to set up eight field research and monitoring platforms. New equipment, such as satellite remote sensing technology, large drones, and automated monitoring systems, has been acquired. Additionally, over 200 video surveillance systems have been installed and are actively maintained.
"Achieving World Natural Heritage status is not our final goal. Going forward, we will strengthen data sharing and international cooperation on migratory bird protection with countries along the East Asia-Australasia Flyway. This effort is vital for global biodiversity conservation," said Wang Andong, director of the research center at the Shandong Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve.
