Hebei provincial authorities have designated Baiyangdian, the biggest lake in north China, a nature reserve for the protection of wetlands and birds.

The lake, covering 366 square kilometers, is the habitat of 47 kinds of water plants, 54 kinds of fishes, 192 kinds of birds and 14 wild mammal species, according to experts with the provincial forestry authority.

At least three kinds of birds and five species of mammal are under the state protection.

Persistent draught, pollution and silting over the years have led to reduced lake area and damage to its ecological system.

Hebei authorities have allocated 7 billion yuan (US$845 million) for 26 projects over the next 10 years aimed at restoring and protecting the ecological system on the lake.

Measures mulled include improving the distribution of water resources in the upper and lower reaches, building more urban sewage treatment plants and reducing pollution from the use of fertilizer.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2002)