The latest field survey showed that the number of pandas in Qinling Mountain area in north China has kept increasing as their habitat environment got improved at people's efforts.

The survey, part of China's third general investigation on the animal, started last November and finished late June this year, covering 10 counties and five natural reserves.

Qinling Mountain area is an important habitat for pandas. With the help of the central government and financial aid from the World Bank, the local government invested 20 million yuan (2.4 million U.S. dollars) since 1993 to restore natural environment in the animal's home region.

Over the past 20 years, China established five natural reserve zones in the Qinling Mountain area, 800 kilometers long and 200 kilometers wide.

(People's Daily 08/07/2001)