Widgeons are paddling in the lower reaches of the Tarim River in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A comprehensive management project has been carried out to improve the ecological environment along the 1,300-kilometer-long Tarim River, China's longest inland river. A total investment of 10.7 billion yuan (about US$1.3 billion) has been made in the project which was started in early 2002.

A egret is flying over a watercourse in the lower reaches of the Tarim River.

Egrets are flying over a watercourse in the lower reaches of the Tarim River.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2003)