Ecological park to protect swans in North China

In north China's Shanxi province, a company has been given the go ahead to build a new eco-park in a special wetland for swans. The company says it will help preserve the local environment and the swans' habitat. But some say it could have a negative effect on the annual swan migration.

In north China's Shanxi province, a company has been given the go ahead to build a new eco-park in a special wetland for swans. The company says it will help preserve the local environment and the swans' habitat. But some say it could have a negative effect on the annual swan migration.

Every year in late October, thousands of whooper swans fly to the Pinglu Yellow River Wetland in Shanxi, to spend the winter. Their numbers have steadily increased in recent years.

Earlier this year, the local government in Pinglu County signed an investment agreement with a local company to build a new eco-park. The project will cover around 8.5 million square meters. It will include an eco-park and a new tourist town. The company behind the scheme manufactures chemical fertilizer. They plan to invest 3 billion yuan in the project.

"This project marks something of a transformation for our company. We will no longer only focus on the chemicals industry. We want to do something that fits with the current national focus on environmental protection, with more long-term benefits, both ecologically and economically," Li Zhi, Deputy General Manager of Zhongxing Huanghe Swan Ecological Culture Co., Ltd., said.

Construction has only just begun. The project has gone ahead despite concerns that it could actually have a negative impact on the swan migration, possibly scaring them away.

Both the local government and the company say the swans' protection is a top priority.

"This year, the investment company has built a viewing platform, a wooden walkway and some fences. These facilities protect both humans and the swans. More wheat has been planted to feed the swans. You can see that more swans are here now. The swan numbers have hit a record high this year," Niu Weiping, Deputy Director of Pinglu Tourism Bureau, said.

Experts say that while private investment is necessary to encourage more ecological construction, the local government should supervise and guide the process, in case companies confuse profit with priority. And there can be only one priority: the environment.