IN A bid to include the habitats of its giant pandas on the World Natural Heritage List, Sichuan Province has shut down 78 mines and polluting firms, suspended construction of three power stations and completed the technological renovation of 180 enterprises.
The measures, motivated by the province's application to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Natural Heritage List in early 2001, have resulted in a better environment for the endangered species, said Cui Guangyi, deputy secretary-general of the Sichuan provincial government.