Harbin nominated for ‘International Wetland City’

Harbin has been nominated for the first batch of international wetland cities, according to information from Harbin Wetland and Forestry Nature Reserve Management Center on Nov 1.

An “International Wetland City” is a concept proposed by the Organization of the United Nations Wetlands Convention based on “the Convention on Wetlands” (which is known as “the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat”, and is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the Convention was signed in 1971).

China is a signatory of “the Convention on Wetlands”. A total of 15 cities in China have submitted application materials for the nomination, while only six cities have won approval. Harbin is the only city in Northeast China to win the nomination.

Information from the Organization of the United Nations Wetlands Convention reveals that it will organize a delegation to assess Harbin from July to August in 2018, and the final results will be revealed in Dubai in September.

Harbin was nominated for its rich wetland resources, well protection and management of wetlands.

Harbin’s wetlands cover a total area measuring over 300,000 hectares, accounting for 5.6 percent of the city. Also, wetlands in the urban areas of Harbin account for 13.53 percent, much higher than the minimum standard for nomination.

In addition, Harbin has eight provincial-level wetland reserve zones, covering an area of 108,508 hectares; Harbin also has another 16 wetland parks, including Taiyang Island scenic spot, Hulanhekou Wetland Park and Jinhewan scenic spot.