Sanmenxia steps up swan protection by issuing regulations

Regulations for the protection of white swans and their habitat were implemented on Nov 1, marking an important milestone for the city in Henan province to intensify the conservation on swans and preserve its reputation as the "City of Swans".

Released on Oct 23, the protect act is the first one to pay attention to the swans since Sanmenxia gained local legislative power in 2015.

Residents of Sanmenxia have had an abstract knowledge of the "do's and don'ts" of swan protection as the wintering number of the waterfowls has seen a big increase in recent years. The protection act further clarified the government responsibilities, habitat management, protective measures and legal liabilities.

Many citizens became confident about the future once the protection act was made official.

"The white swans and their habitats get further protection as every one of us constrains our behaviors", said a citizen surnamed Qi.

After years of legal work, a local resident surnamed Hu appreciated the promulgation of the laws, saying that it filled a gap in our city's regulations in swan and habitat conservation with a clear division of department duties and detailed punishments on violators.

"Criminal cases have been completely eradicated as the protection awareness get stronger among the residents, while the attention to the habitats remain to be strengthened," said Dong Ruilong, a researcher in the administrative office of the Yellow River Wetland in Sanmenxia.

White Swans' Day is celebrated annually in Sanmenxia on Nov 22 to promote the protection of these beautiful birds.