Nanyang Tanghe National Wetland Park

Nanyang Tanghe National Wetland Park

Nanyang Tanghe National Wetland Park is a national-level wetland park.

The Tanghe River lies within the climatic transition zone from the warm temperate zone to the north subtropical zone. As a tributary of the Yangtze River system, it is a typical riverine wetland featuring a transitional and convergent biota between northern and southern, eastern and western regions. The wetland landscape is diverse, and biodiversity is rich. At the same time, as a major tributary supplying water to the Han River, the source of the central route of China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the Tanghe plays a vital role in preserving water quality and ecological and water environmental safety in the Jianghan area, as well as in enhancing the protection of the entire basin. For millennia, this mother river has flowed out of Fangcheng and into the Jianghan region, nurturing the cultural richness of the Tanghe area and nourishing the poetic lives of its people.

Nanyang National Wetland Park stretches from the confluence of the Pihe River, the Biyang River, and the Tanghe River in the north to the entry point of the Sanjia River into the Tanghe in the south. Its geographical coordinates range from 32°38′46″N to 32°45′39″N latitude and from 112°48′01″E to 112°54′08″E longitude. The planned total area is 675.7 hectares, including 478.85 hectares of wetlands, accounting for 70.28% of the total. The wetland park centers around a natural river with multiple water sources and no dry season, and features a composite wetland ecosystem composed of permanent rivers and floodplain wetlands. It is highly representative within Henan Province and holds certain significance in the Central Plains region.

Nanyang National Wetland Park is located at the center of one of the three major migratory bird routes in China. With its expansive water bodies, high-quality water, diverse habitats, and the surrounding farmland that provides ample food, the park offers important stopover and foraging grounds for migratory birds along the central route. Over the years, the Nanyang County Government has adhered to the principle of balancing conservation with development, continuously strengthening the effective protection of wetland resources and the ecological environment. This has provided diverse habitats for flora and fauna and played an active role in soil and water conservation, water source protection, and maintaining the positive cycle of the ecosystem in the basin. Surveys show that the wetland park is home to 313 species of higher vascular plants across 82 families and 230 species of wild vertebrates across 63 families, including 2 species of nationally first-class protected birds and 24 species of nationally second-class protected birds, such as the black stork and golden eagle.

In recent years, the Nanyang County Government has commissioned the Planning and Design Institute of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration to scientifically plan and develop the wetland park under the overall strategic positioning of "wetland conservation, eco-experience, exploration of ancient charm, and leisure philosophy." The planning follows the core principles of "conservation first, scientific restoration, rational utilization, and sustainable development." It integrates wetland conservation, wetland functionality, and wetland eco-cultural tourism, and is divided into five functional zones: ecological conservation, restoration and reconstruction, science education and publicity, rational utilization, and management services. Each zone has its own distinctive characteristics while seamlessly integrating with ongoing urban green space systems, mountainous ecological forest projects, ecological network construction, and vegetation restoration efforts. Like a giant dragon inlaid on the beautiful land of Tanghe, it has become a model for ecological environmental construction and protection in North China’s farming areas.

The Ecological Conservation Zone is located in the upstream section of the Tanghe urban area, covering an area of 347.00 hectares, accounting for 51.35% of the total park area. It serves as the core protected area of the wetland park. The construction principle focuses on maintaining the original natural appearance of the wetland, protecting wetland resources, and preserving the balance of the ecosystem, making this area a natural habitat for wild waterfowl.

The Restoration and Reconstruction Zone is situated in the lower reaches of the Tanghe, spanning 173.10 hectares, or 25.62% of the total area. Through wetland restoration and reconstruction, the primary goal is to restore or rebuild the riverine wetland ecosystem. The focus is on restoring biodiversity, river water quality, and riverside vegetation, while improving both the area and quality of the wetland.

The Science Education and Publicity Zone covers an area of 13.50 hectares, or 2% of the total, primarily showcasing the structure, processes, and functions of wetlands. It promotes the important roles and values of wetlands, helping people understand their structural features, successional processes, and vulnerabilities, thereby inspiring public enthusiasm for voluntary wetland conservation.

The Rational Utilization Zone spans 135 hectares, or 19.98% of the total, focusing mainly on ecotourism. It includes wetland cultural activities, leisure activities, and educational programs, while also ensuring the scientific development and utilization of the wetland ecosystem.

The Management and Service Zone covers an area of 7.10 hectares, or 1.05% of the total, serving as the area for park management and service operations. Themed around "natural oxygen bar, life habitat, and citizens’ paradise," it highlights features such as embracing nature, experiencing landscapes, enjoying rural fun, and exploring culture.

In the planning and construction of the wetland park, emphasis is placed on developing the Tanghe Wetland into a high-quality and abundant water source and ecological safety barrier for Nanyang County and downstream areas. The wetland ecosystem is natural and intact, with clearly defined land ownership within the planned area and no disputes among stakeholders. The Nanyang County Government places high importance on the construction of the wetland park, promptly initiating its application and overall planning. The investment entities for construction are clear, and operational maintenance systems are well-established. Water usage rights are also clearly defined, laying a solid foundation for the park’s development. The application and construction of the national wetland park have brought unprecedented opportunities for ecological development in Tanghe. The people of Tanghe will take this as a starting point to actively build a more harmonious and integrated beautiful homeland where humans and nature coexist.