Recently, the Jinhu Lake in Zhijiang County was selected as one of the models of Hubei Province for wetlands conservation, according to the Notice on Piloting Jingchu Wetland Conservation Models issued by the Forestry Administration Department of Hubei Province.

　　The pilot work will form typical replicable experience in the aspects of sustainable utilization of wetland resources, wetland restoration, smart wetlands, beneficial wetlands, and education on wetland protection (study tour), which will guide all localities to carry out scientific protection, restoration and rational utilization, promote the sustainable improvement of wetland ecological functions, and achieve the unity of ecological, social, and economic benefits. Financial support will be offered to the pilot by the forestry administration departments in distribution of funds allocated by the central and provincial governments.

　　In recent years, Zhijiang has adhered to the principle of “comprehensive protection, scientific restoration, rational utilization, and sustainable development of wetlands”. Many measures have been taken in the Jinhu Lake area, such as wetland protection, ecological restoration, and education on wetland protection. As a result, the ecological environment as well as the ecological functions has been significantly improved. There are 204 species of vascular plants and 184 species of birds in the wetland park, including 21 species of rare animals, such as Baer's pochards, national secondary a key kind of protected animal and cygnets, and a global endangered animal. (Reporter/Li Pengfei, Correspondents/Yu Guirong & Wang Aoyan)