Environmental campaign gives Momoge reserve a new lease on life

Jilin province's environmental campaign has given the Momoge National Nature Reserve - which is among the wetlands of international importance, especially as a waterfowl habitat - a new lease on life.

Located in Zhenlai county and near the Horqin sandy area, the 144,000-hectare nature reserve has long served as a key stopover point for migratory birds.

Wetlands account for more than 80 percent of its total area.

But a severe flood hit Momoge in 1998. That flood, and subsequent droughts in ensuing years, were key factors for the sharp drop in its wetlands areas.

Human activities, such as oilfield production and unchecked farming, have also been blamed for a dramatic reduction in the numbers and variety of birds there.

To address the issue, local authorities have initiated a series of environmental projects to restore the ecological system and explore new methods for protecting the wetlands.

By linking rivers and lakes, and diverting the Nenjiang River to the Momoge area, the government said it has added 30 million cubic meters of water annually to the natural reserve.

The plentiful water inflows help to recover the degraded wetlands and improve Momoge's capacity to deal with climate change and sandstorms.

Managers of the nature reserve are cooperating with Jilin Oilfield, a subsidiary of PetroChina, for a win-win environmental solution.

The energy company invested more than 32 million yuan ($4.86 million) in recovering 6,700 hectares of wetlands, and the reserve is helping it to realize clean and safe production.

Officials say those green efforts have paid off handsomely.

The wetland areas in Momoge have increased by 20,000 hectares in recent years and habitats of rare and endangered bird species have been rescued.

The increase in wetlands helps to improve nearby grasslands, and saline and alkali soils, while expanded green coverage provides more habitats for the birds.

Momoge's improved ecological system attracts tens of thousands of waterfowl for a stopover during their annual long-haul migratory flight.

The number of annual migratory white cranes has increased to roughly 3,800 from 200.

About 200,000 other waterfowl also roost or live in the Momoge natural reserve, far more than the previous population of 50,000 to 100,000 birds.

"Rare birds, like white cranes, have special requirements for their living environment," said Su Liying, an official monitoring the migratory paths of East Asia's cranes at the International Crane Foundation.

The birds must have natural wetlands with ample food, Su said.

"They require higher safety. If they are alarmed once, they won't come back again," she said.

"The fact that Momoge has so many white cranes and a great number of other rare birds is evidence that its environment has become very appealing."

Of 15 crane species worldwide, nine can be found in China and six are visitors or residents of Momoge.

Of the more than 4,000 white cranes in the world, about 3,800 roost at the Jilin nature reserve in spring and autumn.

"It is rare to see so many cranes at one site," Su said.

Currently, Momoge is home to 10 of the most highly protected bird species in China, including white cranes, red-crowned cranes and hooded cranes.

In addition, 42 species on a lower protection rating in China can be seen in the nature reserve, such as white-naped cranes and demoiselle cranes.

(China Daily 10/19/2017 page10)