Guizhou province this year received 102 million yuan ($15.05 million) from central government coffers to protect and develop almost 210,000 hectares of wetland, according to the Guizhou Provincial Forestry Department.

Studies claim that one hectare of wetland can detoxify more than 1,000 kilograms of nitrogen and 130 kilograms of phosphorus, playing an active role in regulating the local climate and beautifying the environment.

Of the province’s 36 wetland parks, the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture accounts for the highest amount of wetland.

The types of wetlands in the province include riverine, lake, marsh and constructed wetlands. Guizhou’s wetlands are home to around 1,500 species of plants, and rare animals such as the black-necked crane and mullet.

Edited by Jacob Hooson