Imagine a place where the desert meets shimmering waters, and flocks of birds paint the sky. Welcome to Shahu Lake in China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region—a true comeback story! 🌅🐦
Just a few years ago, Shahu Lake, nestled on the outskirts of Shizuishan City, was far from being the paradise it is today. Stagnant waters and dwindling wildlife made it a pretty gloomy spot. But fast forward to now, and it's become the ultimate hangout for migratory birds on their epic journeys. Talk about a transformation! 😲
This autumn, the lake welcomed its first batch of feathered travelers, and there's more to come! Being a key stopover on the southern migration route, Shahu is gearing up for an influx of avian visitors. To roll out the red carpet (or should we say, the rice field), locals planted a massive 200-hectare rice field to make sure these birds feast like kings. 🍚🐦
So, how did this desert lake turn into a bird utopia? Back in 2017, local heroes (aka the authorities) kicked off an ecological makeover. They built a sprawling 400-hectare wetland to improve water flow and purify the lake naturally. After three years of hard work, the water quality bounced back, and wildlife started to return.
Now, Shahu Lake is buzzing with life! Over 210 bird species have been spotted here, including 32 newbies like the rare black stork. Even migratory celebs like grey geese and cormorants have decided to make it their permanent home. 🦢✨
But the glow-up doesn't stop at Shahu. Ningxia has been on a mission to revive its ecosystems—restoring nearly 40,000 hectares of wetlands, setting up 26 wetland parks, and creating habitats that are friendly not just for birds, but for nature lovers and adventurers too! 🌳🌍
Thanks to these green efforts, the skies over Ningxia are clearer, the Yellow River's waters are cleaner, forests are growing, and even elusive creatures like snow leopards are making a comeback. 🐆🌲
So, if you're dreaming of a wild adventure where you can reconnect with nature and perhaps snap some Insta-worthy shots of rare birds, Shahu Lake and Ningxia should be on your radar! 📸✨
Reference(s):
Revived desert wetland in China becomes paradise for migratory birds
cgtn.com
