China improves environment at holy mountains
Authorities in China have launched a project to improve the natural environment at Mount Wutai – one of the country’s four sacred Buddhist mountains.
The CNY100 million (US$16m) project, which is due to be completed in July this year, involves dredging and reinforcing the banks of a 28km stretch of the Qingshui River, as well as a major reforestation project. A 22km stretch of land will be planted with trees to create a greenbelt area around the site. Twelve new mobile public toilets will also be added.
Located in northern China’s Shanxi province, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mount Wutai is home to about 50 Buddhist temples built over the course of 2,000 years.