The Yellow River Estuary National Park is being built at the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying, East China's Shandong province, and represents a significant step forward for Shandong in promoting environmental conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.

Earlier this year, Shandong released a development plan to build the Yellow River Estuary National Park, which will cover 2,152 square kilometers of marine area and 1,371 sq km of land. The national park will be the first in the country to boast both land and marine areas.

During the winter and spring seasons, flocks of migrating birds arrive in rapid succession in the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying, which has become a haven for migrant birds.

"Birds are very sensitive to the natural environment, and their well-being can reflect the environmental conditions. In recent years, the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve has witnessed a growing number of birds, which proves that the ecological environment at the reserve is becoming better and better," said Zhu Shuyu, a wetland researcher at the Yellow River Delta Natural Reserve Administrative Bureau.

The construction of the national park will bring great benefits to wetland conservation and restoration, and improve the habitats for birds, according to Zhu.

The national park will also play an important role in protecting and restoring biodiversity of the Yellow River Delta, according to Liu Jing, director of the environmental monitoring center at the nature reserve.

Liu said that the increasing number of birds breeding at the nature reserve shows that the ecological systems there are improving. She added that the good environment has enriched biodiversity, and according to the delta nature reserve, the wetlands are now home to 1,630 wild animal species and 685 plant species.

The Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying, East China's Shandong province, is becoming a paradise for migrant birds during winter and spring seasons. [Photo/Jinan News]