EcoChina | Ordinary people contribute to ecological conservation in Nantong

NANTONG, July 18 (Xinhua) --  Nantong City has fully implemented the ecological restoration of the mountain area along the Yangtze River since 2016, with the new added forest area exceeding six square kilometers and a forest coverage rate of more than 80 percent.

The Langshan national forest park was approved to be established in the mountain area along the Yangtze River in 2018. A group of ordinary people are now engaged in the ecological conservation of this forest park and the Yangtze River.

Wu Rong came to work at the Langshan mountain scenic spot area in 2014 and she has been engaged in greening maintenance of the mountain area and the area along the Yangtze River since 2021. At present, some 200 greening workers like Wu Rong tend to this forest every day.

Fei Changzhong, once a fisherman along the Yangtze River in Nantong, has withdrawn from fishing and became an environmental volunteer along the river. He initiated the establishment of a volunteer team among fishermen withdrawing from fishing for environmental protection along the Yangtze River in 2022. Every day, he patrols along the river for protection and cleanup. "As long as everyone keeps their promise to the Yangtze River, it will become more beautiful," Fei said.

Zhang Lu, a manager of the Junshan mountain operation center, took part with her team in the building of an exhibition hall of the Yangtze River protection at the Langshan national forest park, which was established in 2026. The exhibition hall so far has received more than 35,000 tourists learning about the green development of the Nantong section of the Yangtze River.

"Spreading the concept and achievements of the Yangtze River protection to more people is to better protect it," Zhang said.