SZ boasts 44,309 hectares of nature protected areas

The number of nature protected areas (excluding two marine nature reserves) in Shenzhen (excluding Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone) reached 23, with a total area of about 44,309.11 hectares (equivalent to around 62,032 football pitches), according to the Shenzhen integration and optimization plan of nature reserves issued recently by the Shenzhen Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Bureau.

The plan is seeking public opinion.

After the integration and optimization, Shenzhen has four national nature protected areas, namely the Guangdong Neilingding-Futian National Nature Reserve, Guangdong Wutong Mountain National Scenic Spot, Guangdong Dapeng Peninsula National Geopark, and Guangdong OCT National Wetland Park, two nature reserves spanning 17,857.46 hectares in total, and 21 natural parks measuring 26,451.65 hectares in total.

Guangdong Wutong Mountain National Scenic Spot. Photos by Sun Yuchen

Guangdong Dapeng Peninsula National Geopark.

Guangdong OCT National Wetland Park.

In addition, the city has 19 local level nature protected areas, including 10 wetland parks, eight forest parks and one nature reserve.

The optimization plan aims to maintain the integrity of natural ecosystems and benefit the building of ecological corridors.

At present, the city’s core protection area of nature reserves is 11,069.57 hectares. The nature reserves account for 40.30% of the total area of nature protected areas after the integration and optimization.

It is also worth noticing that the Guangdong Neilingding-Futian Nature Reserve, which covers an area of 921.37 hectares, was recently selected as part of the first batch of Guangdong Province natural resources and forestry rule of law publicity and education bases, according to Shenzhen Evening News.