Paotaiwan (Emplacement) Wetland Park in Shanghai's northern Baoshan District, an ecological paradise, was built three years ago where vast heaps of steel slag and junk were encroaching. [Shanghai Daily]

Reeds swaying in the breeze, egrets picking their way about mudflats, seagulls dive-bombing for a fish and marsh critters just going about their business. This tranquil scene is just within an hour's ride from frenetic downtown Shanghai.

Amazing proximity.

Even more amazing is the fact that three years ago, vast heaps of steel slag and junk were encroaching, the water was murky, the air was foul. These 50 hectares of natural wetland -- far smaller than the vast original -- and their native inhabitants could easily have been wiped out by reckless industrialization.

The Baoshan District government decided otherwise, however, and in late 2005 began a herculean task of environmental cleanup, protection and greenery planting in a wetland rescue.

The aim is to preserve the wetland ecosystem that functions as "the kidney of Earth," nature's filter, its water and air purifier.

The result is Paotaiwan (Emplacement) Wetland Park, Phase I, open to the public since May 2007. It now includes another 50 hectares of land that is expected to add another 20 hectares by the time the Shanghai World Expo opens in May 2010.

Paotaiwan (Emplacement) Wetland Park in Shanghai's northern Baoshan District, an ecological paradise, was built three years ago where vast heaps of steel slag and junk were encroaching. [Shanghai Daily]

The wetland received the China Habitat Environment Award in January.

The riverside park lies in Wusong area, Baoshan District, in the north of Shanghai, where the Huangpu and Yangtze rivers meet. It has a 2-kilometer-long waterfront along the Yangtze River and is part of an ambitious plan to redevelop Baoshan's riverside parks.

Here the Yangtze River slows as it approaches the estuary; mud and sand carried by the river precipitate in the process and form wetland where water plants, water birds, fish and many animals thrive.

The wetland covers more than 50 hectares and the park includes another 50 hectares.

Phase I construction was launched in late 2005 and completed in early 2007, according to Yang Xin, president of the Shanghai Baoshan Greening Management Bureau.