A family enjoys a picnic at Nengda Central Park. [Photo provided by Xu Baohua for en.nantong.gov.cn]

The Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area, or NETDA, one of the country's 14 national economic and technological development areas, has been pursuing green development for the past four decades.

In 2023, the concentration of PM 2.5 in NETDA was 25.8 micrograms per cubic meter, while the good air quality rate in the area improved 0.9 percentage points from the previous year.

Investigators work in NETDA. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_78ba52d6e1ed]

In recent years, NETDA's efforts to create a green environment have included the establishment of the Laohong Port Wetland Park, Nengda Ecological Corridor, and Nengda Central Park, with the area's total green coverage ratio exceeding 35 percent.

In 2021, freshwater jellyfish, a rare species, were found in NETDA, a testament to its improved natural environment.

Calliope calliope, under national protection, is sighted in NETDA. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_78ba52d6e1ed]

The latest biodiversity survey in the development area showed that in spring this year, investigators recorded 275 species of vascular plants, 50 species of birds, three species of mammals, two species of amphibious animals, and one species of reptile.

Six species of plants and four species of birds under national protection were also spotted during the observation this spring.