MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO HANGZHOU BAY WETLAND CENTRE, CIXI CITY, CHINA

Funded by World Bank/GEF in partnership with Wetlands International China and East China Normal University.

GEC is involved in the GEF Wetland Project. We are assisting in the design and establishment of the Hangzhou Bay Wetland Centre and assisting the local government in developing long term ecological management plans, helping to implement appropriate management practices to demonstrate the balance between wetlands biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

1. The significance of the center will include:

1. Increasing and sharing knowledge of wetlands conservation among the public;
2. Continuous repopulation of Cixi’s over-exploited coastal fish and shellfish resources;
3. Demonstrating and encouraging replication of innovative and best practice options to overcome the barriers to reducing land-based contamination of internal and international water bodies;
4. Extending the fame of the city in the world as a result of the proposed world-class project, improving the investment environment and promoting development of tourism.

2. The objectives of the project will be to:

• Develop the wetland as a high quality habitat for international migratory birds;
• Develop the Wetland Center as the base for reducing land-based contamination ofinternal and international water bodies, for wetland conservation and research, bird watching and environmental education;
• Develop proper financial mechanisms for sustainable operation of the Center;
• Generate efficient management and monitoring of the Environmental Education Center and the natural wetlands.