Changes in Jiangdong ①: let business and nature co-exist

Haikou’s Jiangdong New Area is located on the east coast of Haikou City, the capital of China's Hainan Province, and has a planned land area of 298 square kilometres.

The region is rich in ecological resources. It features a coastline of 31 kilometres, and the current wetland area is about 90 square kilometres, which is criss-crossed by a dense river network.

Dongzhai Port Mangrove Ecological Restoration Project

One of the first ecological restoration projects in the Jiangdong New Area started back in March 2019 at the Dongzhai Port mangroves.

Mangroves are important for restoring coastline ecosystems

The project aims to effectively restore the coastline and coastal mangrove ecosystem of Dongzhai Port to ensure the ecological safety of Haikou’s Jiangdong New Area and provide a good habitat for migratory birds in China.

Chinese Egrets rest on the mudflats while a local fisherman places his nets

Mangroves are known as nature’s coast guards. They prevent the erosion of coasts by waves and weather, and mangrove forests are listed as important tropical marine ecosystems alongside coral reefs, salt marshes, and sea grass.
During the project, a total of more than one million mangrove tree saplings were planted on 321 acres.

Rivers meander through the Dongzhai mangroves to meet the ocean

Maiya River Restoration Project

Near the Jiangdong New Area Central Business District lies the Maiya River Ecological Restoration Project.
 

The Maiya River Wetland Restoration Project area was once covered by hundreds of artificial fish ponds

What was once wasteland and acres of artificial fish ponds has been transformed into an environmentally friendly wetland park. In the very near future some of the world’s leading Fortune 500 companies and headquarters will be located adjacent to the park, a place where business and nature can co-exist.
Prior to the redevelopment, the area was home to hundreds of aquaculture ponds, giving off unpleasant smells and discharged most of their waste water into nearby rivers, which had a negative effect on the environment.  
 

An observation tower in the center of the Maiya River Wetland Park

The area now covers more than 362 acres, which in the future will be expanded to 1,403 acres of coastal wetlands.
Since the project began, many birds and other wildlife have also returned to the area. The small ponds and trees offer a source of food and safe haven for these creatures. 
Award winning wetlands

The Maiya River Restoration Project is a good example of how Haikou has promoted the ecological restoration of wetlands across the city. Other notable examples are the Wuyuan and Meishe River National Wetland Park.
In recent years, Haikou City has had a good track record of implementing clean water development schemes and long term protection systems as well as water conservation and restoration projects.

An upgraded boardwalk in the Dongzhai mangrove forest

Previously Haikou City was included on the first list of the world’s “International Wetland Cities” and was awarded the Paulson Prize for Sustainability in the “Nature Stewardship” category.