In a recent development, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration announced that the provinces of Hunan, Jiangxi, Hubei, Guangdong, and Guangxi have jointly launched a cross-regional protection initiative for migratory bird pathways.

Following the signing of a memorandum on this collaborative protection effort, the five provinces plan to establish a consultation mechanism for managing these migratory bird pathways. This will include designating contact coordination agencies and personnel, as well as creating emergency response plans to address potential incidents.

These provinces are interconnected by mountains and rivers, hosting numerous “thousand-year birdways,” which serve as crucial routes, stopovers, and wintering grounds for many migratory birds that travel twice a year. With a significant role in national bird protection, the regions have laid a strong foundation for collaborative efforts to enhance their conservation strategies. Hunan Province, in particular, plans to set up monitoring stations at its borders with the other four provinces, facilitating the regular exchange of data on bird surveys, monitoring—including banding—and conservation management. Additionally, they aim to conduct joint supervision and enforcement actions in key areas, as well as develop bird-watching towns to promote an economic ecosystem centered around avian tourism.