A state-level forestry park stretching along the coastline of Hainan Province, China's southernmost island, has opened to visitors recently.

Covering over 526 hectares, the park, the first of its kind in China, boasts a mangrove forest belt with over 30 species of such trees, according to Chen Xiaochuan, manager of a state-run farm that administrates the park with the approval of the State Forestry Administration. 

The mangrove forests, as well as coral reefs and sand dunes, act like a buffer against tsunamis and storm surges.

 

Many coastal villages survived Damrey, the strongest typhoon that pounded the province since 1974, in late September last year thanks to the protection of the mangroves.

 

In addition, visitors to the coastal park can also enjoy the sceneries of many rare trees, including banyan communities and over 2,000 wild litchi trees, which are over 1,000 years old.

 

The park region has also been a habitat of various fishes, shrimps, crabs and sea birds.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2006)