Editors note: In acknowledgment of International Bird Day, Jia Yifei, a young research study fellow (associate teacher) at the School of Ecology and Nature Conservation and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Migration Research Center, Beijing Forestry University, tells us a success story of Tiaozini Wetlands, where eco-friendly conservation and economic prosperity work together.
While lots of prioritize short-term gains, local authorities picked eco-friendly preservation over large-scale recovery, safeguarding one of Earths the majority of essential migratory bird habitats.
Their dedication has not just protected threatened species however likewise transformed Tiaozini into a design for sustainable development &-- prospering as an ecotourism center, a biodiversity proving ground and a sign of human-nature harmony.
The article shows the authors opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.As dawn breaks over the Tiaozini Wetlands, the sky comes alive with the balanced flurry of wings.
Tens of thousands of migratory birds sweep across the mudflats, their silhouettes slicing through the morning mist.
On this large seaside expanse &-- the core area of the Yellow (Bohai) Sea Migratory Bird Habitat in Dongtai, east Chinas Jiangsu Province and a World Heritage site &-- spoon-billed sandpipers engrave fragile arcs with their distinct expenses, Nordmanns greenshanks leave ephemeral imprints in the intertidal zone, and the calls of Saunderss gulls combine seamlessly with the tides.
To the inexperienced eye, this wetland might seem desolate, however in reality, it is the grand stage for among natures most spectacular migrations.A bold option: Ecology over short-term gainsOver a decade earlier, Jiangsu Province started an ambitious strategy to reclaim 180,000 hectares of coastal wetlands for advancement.
Yancheng, the region including Tiaozini, dealt with the exact same problem: pursue short-term industrial gains or safeguard one of Earths a lot of vital communities.
Unlike many before them, regional authorities made a strong and unconventional choice.
Rather of focusing on land-sale earnings and infrastructure expansion, they rotated towards long-term ecological conservation, investing millions in protecting World Heritage status.The effort paid off.
In 2019, Yanchengs wetlands were designated as Chinas very first seaside wetland World Natural Heritage website, with Tiaozini at its core as part of the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase I).
This landmark classification safeguarded 64 endangered bird species and secured a crucial stopover along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, a migratory route covering thousands of miles.
Every year, millions of birds rely on these mudflats for breeding and as crucial habitats, making conservation efforts here indispensable.A sanctuary for avian biodiversityTiaozinis unique ecological makeup &-- a mosaic of tidal forests, salt marshes and mudflats &-- offers an abundance of benthic organisms, guaranteeing a rich feeding ground for migratory shorebirds.
Today, 414 bird types have actually been recorded in the region, including: Twenty-two species under Chinas first-class state defense; Seventy-one species under Chinas second-class state protection; Critically threatened spoon-billed sandpipers (nearly half of the worlds remaining 500 count on Tiaozini); Endangered Nordmanns greenshank; Vulnerable Saunderss gull.Beyond passive protection, the Dongtai Coastal Economic Zone, in partnership with research study institutions and environmental NGOs, has actually established a 48-hectare high-tide roosting environment and implemented extensive wetland repair projects.
These efforts have considerably strengthened Tiaozini Wetlands eco-friendly functions, further underscoring its environmental importance.
The outcomes are striking: Nordmanns Greenshank population surged from 1,150 in 2019 to over 2,000 in 2024; Saunderss gull breeding locations broadened by 40 percent; Overall bird diversity in Tiaozini has actually doubled in the previous decade.This science-driven technique to habitat management has actually placed Tiaozini as a global model for seaside wetland preservation, making extensive recognition.From a peaceful fishing town to an ecotourism hubThe World Heritage classification, integrated with the presence of rare and charming bird types, has changed Tiaozini into a thriving ecotourism destination.
Every migration season, thousands of birdwatchers and professional photographers flock to the wetlands to witness the spectacle of spoon-billed sandpipers feeding or vast flocks flying.
Taking advantage of this newly found interest, local government has established a zero-carbon tourism zone, providing sustainable birdwatching trips, ecological education programs and assisted excursions.In 2024, the city government took another innovative action: launching Jiangsus first county-level New Energy Centralized Control Center and Green Power Carbon Sink Trading Platform.
This effort turns environmental preservation into economic opportunity, ensuring that preservation efforts create concrete monetary benefits.
Local families now make 10,000 yuan (almost $1,400) more each year from eco-friendly tourism and natural farming.
When peaceful fishing towns are now a sign of green success, bring in numerous thousands of visitors while maintaining their natural beauty.A model for human-nature coexistenceTiaozinis success underscores a profound truth: conservation and financial advancement are not mutually special &-- they are mutually reinforcing.
By prioritizing environmental stability over short-term earnings, Tiaozini has actually constructed a sustainable future where both people and wildlife prosper.
The wetlands are now embedded in regional culture &-- spoon-billed sandpipers adorn item packaging, Saunderss gulls function as city mascots, and eco-awareness has actually taken root among the younger generation.This deep sense of stewardship extends beyond symbolic gestures.
Local neighborhoods have developed birdwatching clubs, citizen-led tracking groups and conservation groups, actively protecting the wetlands.
This synergy lines up with the United Nations Development Programmes principles of promoting sustainable development that balances eco-friendly preservation with community wellness.
A long lasting legacyAs the sun sets over Tiaozini, the wetlands come alive with quiet strength.
Spoon-billed Sandpipers, Nordmanns Greenshanks and Saunderss gulls forage in peace, undisturbed by the pressures that have driven their equivalents elsewhere to the edge.
This is more than just a preservation success story &-- it is a blueprint for the future.Tiaozinis story reminds us that true progress lies not in the unrelenting exploitation of nature however in its preservation and shared stewardship.
Every conservation-minded decision, every neighborhood effort and every watchful eye tracking a birds flight composes a new chapter in coexistence.Perhaps, on this International Bird Day, the greatest gift we can offer these avian travelers is not simply affection but an unfaltering pledge &-- among lasting harmony between human beings and the natural world.(Cover: The mudflats of Tiaozini Wetlands./ Jia Yifei)