Giant Panda national park to boost species survival

Over 80 preservation areas, covering just over 27,000 kilometers, are to be included in China's first giant panda national park, according to plans revealed by the government.

Many Giant Panda communities face extinction due to human activity, natural disasters and climate change. [File photo: thepaper.cn]

The national park will be located across parts of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu, where most wild giant pandas are to be found.

According to the plans, 20,177 square kilometers in Sichuan province are classified as giant panda habitats, including Mianyang, Guangyuan, Chengdu, Deyang, Aba, Ya'an and Meishan.

There will be three main zones: A core protection area, ecosystem revision area, and knowledge sharing area.

In addition, 4,386 square kilometers in Shaanxi and 2,571 square kilometers in Gansu are being allocated as giant panda habitats with the same three major functions as in Chengdu.

Giant Panda habitats display complex topology with over 8,000 plants and animal species.

According to the fourth national survey on giant pandas, thanks to human activity, natural disasters, and climate change, giant pandas have receded to six mountain areas. Of 33 giant panda groups, 22 have less than 30 individuals, placing them at risk of extinction.