China's largest wetland museum was recently founded in Momoge, a national-level nature reserve in northeast China's Jilin Province.

"The establishment of Momoge Wetland Museum will promote wetland protection. It will also contribute to science and ecology education," said Qiao Heng, deputy director of Jilin Province's Forestry Department.

Costing almost 10 million yuan (US$1.23 million), the museum covers over 2,000 square meters.

Thousands of exhibits are on display.

Wetlands are one of the world's three major ecosystems with forests and oceans being the other two.

They are an important habitat for birds and wild animals, and, according to Wang Bao, director of Jilin Momoge National Nature Reserve, also play a vital role in protecting the environment and regulating the climate.

The Momoge Nature Reserve covers 144,000 hectares, with wetlands accounting for 80 percent of the park.

Momoge lies on the migratory route of many birds from East Asia. Large numbers of many endangered species, such as white cranes and the eastern white stork, can be found in the reserve.

Almost 300 kinds of birds can be found in the reserve at present, more than 10 of which are classed as first-grade State protected species. Birds in this class include the big bustard, the eastern white stork, dark stork, and white and red-crowned cranes.

"People are beginning to pay more attention to the environment. The establishment of the wetland museum will fulfill its theme of the harmony between people, birds and nature," Wang Bao said.

(China Daily October 24, 2005)