Shanghai Daily news

A habitat for birds is being set up in an area of wetlands on the western coast of Chongming Island, and bird watchers will be allowed to visit and roam around the habitat when it opens in three years.
East China Normal University's Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Research is currently restoring the 400-hectare western wetlands to attract more migratory birds.
"To attract migratory birds, there must be ideal environment such as forests, vegetation and abundant food. With these conditions, birds will naturally come and settle down," said Xiong Lihu, one of the researchers working the project.
He said the wetlands lack a sufficient variety of vegetation and organisms to attract birds at the moment.
To improve the habitat, the researchers created a forest three years ago, and continues to plant trees in the wetlands.
The trees will provide protection against wind and wave, said Lu Jianjian, head of the research group.
Now the group is planning to plant more varieties of vegetation and release some fish and shrimp in nearby waters to attract birds.
"Some migratory birds may even settle down in the wetland as the weather is turning warmer globally these years," Xiong said.
The Chongming County government has built a 2-kilometer road extending to the inside of the wetlands to offer convenience to people who want to observe birds. At the end of the plank road, four observatories will be built for visitors to enjoy the scenery and birds.
"Different from the eastern coast wetland where people are restricted from going in to observe the birds, tourists can watch the birds freely after buying tickets because the western wetlands aren't a protection zone," said Huang Yixin, deputy director of the county's tourism administration.
In addition, a Yangtze River water culture exhibition hall will be built near the wetlands, Huang said.
According to the blueprint of the county's future development, the western wetland area will be built into an "Oriental Geneva," that is, a convention center and a resort area around lakes.