Zheng Baogang and his team of tree-planters begin their day at the crack of dawn, around 5 am, as they head out to an abandoned mine site in Huzhou, Zhejiang province. For the past several months, they have been working tirelessly to restore the land to its natural state before mining activities disrupted the ecosystem. It is the most challenging reforestation project related to former coal mines and stone quarries in the area, according to Zheng.
The Huzhou mine, which operated in the late 1980s, is over 200 meters deep, and the site earmarked for reclamation spans over 200,000 square meters. Zheng and his team, dressed in ropes and straps similar to mountaineers, carefully navigate the cliffs to loosen compacted soil and plant trees or grass seeds daily. The ground temperature can reach over 40 C during summer, while winter days are freezing cold.
The project aims to restore biodiversity to the once-barren land, which had been subjected to intensive mining activities. Zheng and his team work tirelessly to improve soil quality, planting a variety of native tree species to help absorb carbon and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. The area is also being cleared of invasive species and non-native plants, which have disrupted the natural balance of the ecosystem.
Despite the harsh conditions, Zheng and his team remain committed to the project’s success. They recognize the vital role reforestation plays in combating climate change and the preservation of our natural environment. The restoration of the mine site also provides a safe and secure habitat for a diverse range of wildlife and plants.
The work of Zheng and his team underscores the importance of environmental restoration and preservation. Through their dedication and hard work, they are helping to make a positive impact on our planet, one tree at a time. Their efforts serve as an inspiration to others to take up the mantle of environmental responsibility and make a difference in their communities.
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Zheng Baogang, along with his team, sets out to the site of an abandoned mine in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, as early as 5 am every day. Their goal is to restore the site’s natural beauty, which has been long lost. The team has been working on this reforestation project since June and considers it the most challenging project related to the former coal mines and stone quarries in the region.
The mine in Huzhou was established in the late 1980s and is approximately 200 meters deep. The reclamation area’s total size is over 200,000 square meters, and it will take the team almost a month to complete the project. Zheng and his team wear ropes and straps similar to mountaineers to negotiate the steps down the cliff to loosen the compacted soil and plant trees or grass seeds every day. The ground temperature can reach over 40 C in the summer and is freezing cold in winter.
Although the work is dangerous and laborious, Zheng feels a sense of satisfaction in seeing the brownfields turning green. The project is estimated to be completed by the end of this month, and it will enter a two-year maintenance period to restore the area’s greenery. This period of maintenance will ensure that the trees and grass seeds are growing healthily and the area’s ecosystem is balanced.
Zheng has been involved in reclamation work for over a decade and has worked on more than 60 former sites. Some sites have even been transformed into beautiful parklands. Zheng’s work has not only rejuvenated these sites but has also helped in enhancing the region’s ecology.
The importance of the restoration of these former mine sites and quarries cannot be overstated. The area’s ecology has been damaged severely, and the local communities have been deprived of their natural resources. However, with the efforts of individuals like Zheng Baogang and his team, the ecological balance of the area can be restored, and the community can once again enjoy the benefits of the natural resources around them.
Zheng Baogang’s reforestation project is a prime example of how a community’s environmental problems can be addressed by individuals’ efforts. Zheng and his team’s dedication to restoring the natural beauty of the former mine sites and quarries in the region has brought life back to these once barren lands.
Huzhou, a city in Zhejiang province, has abundant construction-grade stones. However, the rapid development of the stone industry since the 1980s resulted in grasslands and forests being transformed into barren quarries. This, in turn, led to the overexploitation of resources and threatened the local natural ecosystem. The local natural resources and planning bureau reported this issue and stated that a dozen mine sites are expected to complete reclamation this year.
Zhu Zhonghua, the director of the ecosystem restoration unit of the Huzhou natural resources and planning bureau, mentions that the Huzhou mine was put into operation in the late 1980s and is about 200 meters deep. The entire site for reclamation is more than 200,000 square meters, and it is the most difficult reforestation project related to the former coal mines and stone quarries in the area.
In the past decade, over 400 former mines have undergone some form of restoration, including about 2,100 hectares that were turned into farmlands and nearly 1,700 hectares seeded with trees and grass. Zheng Baogang, a tree-planting team member, has helped with such reclamation work at over 60 former sites. Some sites have even been revived as parklands.
Despite the dangerous and laborious nature of the work, Zheng finds it rewarding to see the brownfields turning green. The Huzhou mine restoration project is estimated to be completed by the end of this month and will enter a two-year maintenance period to restore the area’s greenery.
The Qishan Botanical Garden is one of the earliest reclamation projects in Huzhou. It is located in Changxing county and was transformed from the former Xinmao stone quarry in 2004. Since then, the garden has become an important ecological site for plant diversity conservation, environmental education, and scientific research.
Through these reclamation projects, Huzhou is actively working to restore its natural ecosystem, preserve plant diversity, and protect the environment. The restoration efforts not only benefit the local community but also contribute to the larger goal of sustainable development.
Huzhou, a city in Zhejiang province, is setting an example for the country by transforming old mine sites into green spaces that also boost local economies. Taihu Lake Longemont Paradise, a theme park built on a former stone quarry in Changxing, is one of the success stories of the city’s restoration projects. With an investment of $3.89 billion, the project has brought economic benefits and job opportunities to locals after eight years of restoration.
Huzhou is one of the first cities in China to advocate for the “green mine” concept, which aims to promote productivity while ensuring environmental protection. The country is decommissioning defunct mines due to environmental concerns, making land reclamation at these sites a priority. The national technical standards for mine restoration, issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources, came into effect on November 1, 2022, to regulate the industry.
The rapid development of the stone industry in Huzhou, starting in the 1980s, led to the destruction of grasslands and forests and threatened the local ecosystem. The local natural resources and planning bureau reports that Huzhou is rich in construction-grade stones, but the overexploitation of resources has caused serious damage. Therefore, restoration work at a dozen mine sites is expected to be completed this year, including the Huzhou mine, which covers over 200,000 square meters.
Since the early 2000s, over 400 former mines in Huzhou have undergone some form of restoration, with around 2,100 hectares turned into farmlands and nearly 1,700 hectares seeded with trees and grass. One of the earliest reclamation projects in the city is the Qishan Botanical Garden in Changxing county, which was transformed from the former Xinmao stone quarry in 2004.
As the country continues to close coal mines due to environmental concerns, the number of closures is expected to reach 15,000 by 2030. China Energy News reports that approximately 12,000 coal mines have already been shut down by 2020. The restoration of old mine sites not only benefits the environment but also provides new opportunities for economic growth and job creation, making it a win-win situation for everyone involved.