Latest comments posted about Land reclamation: tread carefully on ChinaDialogue en-gb http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/1792-Land-reclamation-tread-carefully- http://staging.chinadialogue.net/images/cdlogo.gif http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/1792-Land-reclamation-tread-carefully- The five points mentioned above let us learn that the importance of mangroves on the coastal areas for the security of food and those living close to the sea. More importantly, the loss of mangroves will have an impact upon the local ecosystem. As such, China should consider seriously when reclaiming land from the sea. Yan-Kai Wang Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:48:15 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1792#comment-7295 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1792#comment-7295 Qi'ao Island, in the Pearl River near Zhuhai, once was surrounded by mangrove forests but became severely damaged by fire-wood cutters. Originally, a large population of white egrets inhabited the mangroves. However, firewood cutting damaged their habitat and the egret population declined. In addition, local people received payments from Chinese from Taiwan and Hong Kong who came to Qi'ao to shoot the egrets for sport. A field workshop of environmental NGOs and scientists visited the island in late 2003 and observed excellent restoration work by local organizations. They have expanded the mangroves from about 20 hectares to 1 to 2 sq. km. This in turn slowed shore-line erosion, improved fish-breeding habitats, and increased the egret population. Today, hunting and fire-wood cutting are prohibited here but many tourists come to the island to watch the large flights of egrets come and go in the evening and morning. Ecotourism has increased the local income. Now, however, government authorities are planning to connect Zhuhai and Macau to Hong Kong by bridges that will cross the Pearl River. Bridge and highway construction will likely destroy Qi'ao's mangroves and wetland environment. Only a small patch of endangered mangrove in Zhuhai just west of Macau may survive. Local fishing in the Pearl River will be adversely affected once again. (for workshop information, see) http://fasweb.beacontec.com/blog/china/reports-and-data/field-workshop. W. Parham parham305@aol.com Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:50:26 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1792#comment-7137 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1792#comment-7137 Why do human beings still believe they can change nature? Humans always overestimate their ability. Compared with nature, humans are as small as nothing. Years ago, we got our lesson in reclaiming land from lakes. Now, we are starting to reclaim land from the sea. Who knows what will happen in the future? Wed, 12 Mar 2008 05:17:02 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1792#comment-7136 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1792#comment-7136