Projects restore glory of 'green lung'

Rare species thrive in Qilihai Wetland as Zhu Baoxia and Yan Dongjie report from Tianjin

Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

During summer, the Qilihai Wetland in Tianjin's Ninghe district is a sight to behold with sprawling reed beds swaying in the breeze and dozens of milu deer cooling off in the water. Oriental storks are often seen strolling in the shallows.

As the "green lung" of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and one of the world's three ancient coastal wetlands, this land, once scarred by industrial pollution, has undergone an eight-year ecological restoration and has transformed into a biodiversity-rich ecological highland.