The Guangdong Forestry Bureau announced on Aug 14 that it is to plant new forests, fields, and green areas in the upcoming years, in the province's Pearl River Delta area.

As of now, Guangdong has built 270 natural reserves and 1,086 forest parks, more than in any other province in China.

It is expected that by the end of 2017, Guangdong will be home to 1,493 forest parks, an increase of 40 percent compared to the present. Officials expect that all cities in the Pearl River Delta will have achieved the national forest city standard by the end of 2020.

Guangdong's capital Guangzhou, listed as a national forest city in 2008, plans to build another 10 forest parks this year, providing more hiking footpaths for residents.

Meanwhile, the city is expected to add seven new wetland parks this year, each is more than 120 mu (8 hectares). Lotus flowers, calamuses and reeds will be planted in the wetland parks to attract more wild animals.

If all goes to plan, Guangdong will gear up to become a green ecological province based on forest cities and wetland parks.

The Pearl River Delta city of Zhaoqing has become the most suitable home for red-crowned cranes, with the largest crane population in South China.

It is expected that Zhaoqing will become the fourth national forest city in the Pearl River Delta, following Guangzhou, Huizhou and Dongguan.

Red-crowned cranes inhabit the Xinghu Lake Wetland Park in Zhaoqing, Guandong province. [Photo/nddaily.com]