A view of Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing (CFP)

Jiangsu recently allocated 66.99 million yuan to support ecological protection and restoration projects in the Yangtze River basin, following an updated regulation by the province’s Finance Department.

Since 2021, the department has disbursed a total of 873 million yuan in subsidies for 48 projects in the basin. These initiatives have advanced policies for the protection and restoration of the Yangtze River and addressed significant environmental challenges. As a result, the water quality of the Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River has maintained Grade-II standards for six consecutive years.

The improved wetland environment has created favorable conditions for diverse species, attracting more wildlife and fostering a richer, more stable ecological community. For example, Xinjizhou Wetland Park, located in Jiangning District, became Nanjing’s first national wetland park in 2016. Over the past few years, the park's ecological environment has significantly improved, with wetland coverage increasing from 39.9% in 2016 to 69.9% this year.

According to Zhang Wanning, an instructor at the park, as of May this year, the wetland park is home to 1,704 species, with the number of bird species rising from 103 to 224. Notably, the park has stable wintering populations of six waterfowl species, including the Oriental stork, Eurasian spoonbill, squawk duck and greater scaup.

Zhang explained that the park has taken measures to protect against wetland degradation by planting trees, such as dawn redwood and bald cypress. Efforts to enhance micro-terrain and improve water system connectivity have created diverse habitats, including shallow mudflats for the Oriental stork, open water areas for ducks, and reed marshes for small birds. The park has also partnered with Nanjing University to set up 79 monitoring stations for real-time observation of water quality, hydrology, air, and soil conditions.

Authorities have also strengthened measures to prevent untreated industrial wastewater from being discharged into the Yangtze River, such as prioritizing financial support for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities.

For instance, the industrial wastewater treatment plant in Hengjing Town, Taicang City recently received a financial subsidy of 15 million yuan. The main construction of the plant is complete, and equipment installation is underway, with operations expected to begin in the second half of next year.