Birds Return to Beijing: How Clean Water is Bringing Nature Back!
Hey there, nature lovers! Have you heard the exciting news from Beijing? 🐦🌳 Lots of amazing birds are coming back to the city, and it’s all because of cleaner water! Let’s find out what’s happening.
A Birdwatcher’s Paradise
In late autumn, when birds start to move to warmer places, the Yongding River in Beijing has become a hotspot for rare birds like peregrine falcons (the fastest birds in the world!) and black-winged kites. Birdwatchers are thrilled to see so many different species flying around.
Why Are the Birds Coming Back?
Birds are like nature’s way of telling us how healthy the environment is. If lots of birds are around, it usually means the area is clean and full of life. In Beijing, the return of these birds shows that the environment is getting better.
The Big Water Project
But how did the environment improve? It all started with the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. This is a huge project that brings water from rivers in southern China all the way up north to places like Beijing. The water travels over 1,000 kilometers—that’s like going from London to Berlin!
Since 2014, this project has brought lots of fresh water to Beijing. Now, almost 80% of the water used in the city comes from this project. With more clean water, rivers and lakes have become healthier, and that’s great news for plants and animals.
More Birds Than Ever
At places like the Miyun Reservoir, over 10,000 migratory birds have been seen recently! They’ve counted 235 different bird species there, which is 45 more than just a few years ago. Some of these birds are really special and are protected by the country.
A Greener Future
Thanks to efforts like the water diversion project, 83% of Beijing’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands are now considered healthy. This means more homes for wildlife and a better environment for everyone.
Fun Fact!
Did you know that Beijing now has 519 different kinds of birds? That’s about one-third of all the bird species in China!
The Impact
The South-to-North Water Diversion Project has helped over 185 million people in China by bringing water to places that need it. It’s the largest project of its kind in the world!
Why It Matters
When we take care of our environment, amazing things can happen. Clean water doesn’t just help people—it helps animals and plants too. The return of the birds to Beijing is a wonderful sign that positive changes are happening.
So next time you see a bird flying by, remember how important it is to protect our planet. Who knows what other surprises nature might have for us! 🌍💚
Reference(s):
Return of birds highlights Beijing's better water environment
cgtn.com
