Remarkable rebirth

"The changes in recent years have been tremendous," Pan, the ranger, says excitedly.

"In the northern restoration area, we see hundreds of Platalea leucorodia (Eurasian spoonbill) living and breeding there every year," he says, adding that a few years ago, he rescued an injured eagle, but now such emergency rescue cases are becoming increasingly rare.

The data gathered so far shows that there has been a great leap in the wetland's bird populations: Recorded species have increased from 268 to 272, and the number of national class I protected animals has grown from 8 to 17 species, while class II protected animals have increased from 40 to 52 species.

More surprisingly, the number of migratory birds has surged from 20,000 in 2022 to over 100,000 in 2024.

As a result, Nandagang Wetland was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2024 as part of the "Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase II)".

"The successful inscription is not the finish line, but a new starting point," Wang, from the management office, says firmly.

"With the increased attention comes more pressure to protect the wetlands. We need to safeguard this golden ticket, achieving a win-win for both ecological protection and the development of cultural tourism," Wang adds.

Nowadays, tourists and study groups flock to Nandagang. In the first three quarters of this year alone, the wetland received 432,400 visitors, according to the local government.

"This beautiful place needs us to protect it, generation after generation," says Pan, gazing at the dancing shadows of birds in the distance.

Forty years of consistent protection and preservation have allowed him to witness the rebirth of this wetland.

As the sun sets, casting golden rays over the reeds, Pan concludes his day's patrol, the sound of his three-wheeler fading into the distance.

The success at Nandagang is part of a broader picture for ecological restoration across Hebei.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the province has coordinated efforts to reduce carbon emissions, cut pollution, expand green areas, and pursue growth, advancing green transformation comprehensively across the province.

Zhang Junhao contributed to the story

Contact the writer at zhangyu1@chinadaily.com.cn