China's largest municipal economic powerhouse plans to develop what officials are calling a "super green lung" in the form of a forest park spreading out over 300 hectares at the estuary joining the Huangpu and Yangtze rivers.

The Shanghai Municipal Landscape Administration unveiled plans for the Sanchagang Forest Park, which will be located at Sanchagang at the northern tip of the Pudong New Area. It will serve as an open weekend resort for locals wishing to enjoy nature.

Visitors to the forest will also find it equipped with entertainment facilities. They will also be able to appreciate sunrises and sunsets on the open horizon.

"To build such a landmark forest park at such a prime location is a move by the city to better its environment," said Xiao Qianghua, an administration spokesman.

The plan calls for the first phase to cover 120 hectares. It is expected to begin in the next quarter and to be completed by next year.

Xiao said the piece of land, with 2 kilometers along the Huangpu River, was reclaimed from water 40 years ago with man-made sand-blowing technology.

A nursery has existed there for 20 years where 200,000 trees and 204 kinds of wild plants and other rare vegetation are found.

The nursery has been divided into different sections according to the plants' values and an area about 10 hectares will be entirely preserved in the new park with none of the plants removed.

A large number of trees with colorful leaves will be grown so as to add ambience to the landscape during the four seasons.

A swamp area will also be created, Xiao added.

Several gardens with floral themes such as white magnolia, Chinese flowering crabapple and rhododendrons of different breeds and colors will be designed for visitors to the park to enjoy.

(China Daily September 8, 2004)