A newly-upgraded nature reserve, covering an area of 4,248.7 hectares, brings to five the number of state-level nature reserves around the national capital of Beijing.

Dahaituo, a province-level nature reserve in northern China's Hebei Province, was approved for state-protected reserve status by the State Council, China's cabinet.

Located in Chicheng County of northern Hebei, Dahaituo was established in July 1999 to house wild walnut (Gastrodia elata), leopard, gold eagle, and other animals.

So far, five state-level nature reserves in four types of virgin forest have been established in Zhangjiakou and Chengde to protect ecotypic grassland, wild animals and geological heritage.

All the nature reserves, including Dahaituo, Wuling and the Xiaowutai mountains, Hongsongwa and Nihewan, play an important role in protecting Beijing's environment.

(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2003)