The number of giant pandas has increased to 102 in the Baishuijiang National Nature Reserve in the northwestern province of Gansu, according to the latest survey conducted by the reserve authority.

The increase is attributed to more bamboo food of the pandas as a result of improved environment, a source with the nature reserve said.

In recent years, the local government has made great efforts in forest protection in the reserve. More than 26,670 hectares of farming land has been transformed into forest.

Meanwhile, large areas of revived arrow bamboo also provide more food for giant pandas.

Covering 2,100 square km, the reserve now boasts 87.2 percent of the giant pandas in Gansu and 6.4 percent of the national figure.

China now has approximately 1,600 giant pandas, which mainly live in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces.

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2005)