The wetland park in the Tsuihang New District is under construction.[File photo by Yu Zhaoyu]

The Zhongshan Ecological Function Region Designation had been issued recently (hereafter referred to as the Designation). It divided the whole city into 9 primary ecological regions, 21 ecological sub-regions and 59 ecological functional regions.

"Concerning the protection of various ecological functional regions, specific measures and suggestions are needed. These measures and suggestions should be made on the basis of the major ecological functions and current situations of each region," a staff representative from the Ecology Department, Zhongshan Ecology and Environment Bureau said.

For example, reclamation and road construction will be prohibited in the biodiversity conservation functional regions, while industries which are likely to cause water pollution will be prohibited from operating in the water conservation functional regions. Besides, fertilizer and pesticides will be controlled in river network functional regions.

The Designation also explores the respective capacity and resources of different regions. It does so on the basis of protecting leading ecological functions of regions and making the most of resources in order to promote regional sustainable development.

In addition, the Designation clearly states which are the would-be restricted industries for each region. For instance, in the biodiversity conservation functional regions, all economic and social activities as well as production patterns that may damage habitats will be prohibited, such as illegal mining, reclamation of forests, wetlands and grasslands, road construction, etc.

"Furthermore, the Designation specifies land-use intensity and entry conditions for economic development for different functional regions. It takes into account regional resources, environmental conditions, and the level of economic and social development," he added.