MANILA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday said it has approved a loan of 1,013.56 million yuan (equivalent to 142.25 million U.S. dollars) to protect biodiversity in coastal cities in Fujian Province, east China.

The Fujian Coastal Cities Climate-Resilient Development and Biodiversity Conservation Project will enhance the resilience of 4.4 million residents in Fuzhou City and Yunxiao County by reducing urban flood risk through investments in nature-based solutions.

The project will conserve and restore over 220 hectares of coastal wetlands and mangrove habitats, which serve as critical stopover sites for migratory waterbirds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

The bank said that Fujian's coastal areas face increasing risks from extreme weather, including more powerful cyclones and heavier rainfall, which compound the threat of severe flooding from storm surges, sea-level rise, and urban waterlogging.

The Minjiang River Estuary Wetlands in Fuzhou and the Zhangjiangkou National Mangrove Nature Reserve in Yunxiao are both vital habitats for migratory birds and serve as wintering and breeding sites along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

The project will enhance flood risk management and climate resilience by upgrading urban drainage systems, improving stormwater detention parks and lakes, rehabilitating eco-friendly dikes, and establishing an integrated emergency response center in Yunxiao.

It will refine habitats for endangered species and remove invasive plant species. It will also transform conventional farming and aquaculture into sustainable, wildlife-friendly practices across more than 630-hectare area at both sites.

An innovative eco-compensation mechanism will provide financial incentives for local farmers to adopt sustainable practices, with partial repayments released as livelihoods improve, added the bank.

The project will further strengthen institutional capacity and digital innovation. Investments in smart information and communications technology and AI-enabled monitoring systems will support real-time flood risk and wetland management.

The initiative closely aligns with national climate commitments and strategies for coastal and wetland conservation, contributing to both regional and global public causes, such as biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation. ■