China's southwestern province of Guizhou has made remarkable progress in protecting environment and bio-diversity, setting up 116 natural reserves, according to Guizhou Environment Protection Bureau.

The 116 natural reserves cover an area of 879,600 hectares, accounting for 5 percent of the total land area of the province, said Liu Jiayan, director of the bureau's nature division.

Liu also said that the province has 47 forest parks, covering an area of 173,500 hectares.

Guizhou built its first natural reserve in the Fanjing Mountains in 1979, a milestone in protecting the environment and bio-diversity of the province.

The province has also built a rare animals first aid center and an endangered plateau plants breeding center.

Guiyang, capital of the province, was named the nation's first "forest city" by the State Forestry Administration on Nov. 19 this year.  

(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2004)