Senior Sichuan
officials said yesterday that they had closed 78 mines and
polluting companies in the habitat of the giant
panda by the end of last year to provide a better home for the
endangered species.
Cui Guangyi, deputy secretary-general of the provincial
government, told a press conference the construction of three power
stations was suspended and over 180 enterprises required to make
technical improvements to reduce pollution.
The State Council has approved the giant pandas' habitat as
China's sole nominee for the UNESCO Word Heritage Natural List in
2006.
"We hope our efforts will pay off at the World Heritage Congress
to be held next year, where our application will be put to a vote
by experts," said Cui.
The habitat of giant pandas in the Qionglai Mountain range in
Sichuan includes Wolong Nature Reserve, and Siguniang and Jiajin
mountains, said Zhang Hu, director of the provincial working office
for world heritage sites.
Zhang said the area covers 9,510 sq km and includes eight
natural reserves and nine scenic zones. It is home to about 300
wild giant pandas.
"The next step is to restore vegetation in the panda's habitat,"
said Cui.
(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2005)