At China’s famous giant panda habitat in Sichuan province, 78 mines and polluting companies have been shut down to protect the endangered species.

　　The Sichuan government announced Wednesday the construction of three power stations has been suspended and over 180 enterprises have made technological reforms, to reduce the amount of pollution they emit.

　　The State Council is applying for Sichuan giant panda habitat to join the World Natural Heritage List in 2006.

　　The application has been officially delivered to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and will be appraised at next year’s World Heritage Congress.

　　The habitat of giant pandas in the Qionglai Mountain range in Sichuan will be the first to apply for the World Natural Heritage List. The area is home to about 300 wild giant pandas.