An exhibition of environmental achievements on Qinling Mountain was held in Shaanxi History Museum on Friday to mark international Earth Day.

The mountain, in central Shaanxi province, is home to a giant panda population that has increased by more than 30 percent in the past decade.

It was recognized as a Gift to the Earth by the World Wildlife Fund on April 22, 2003, in a show of thanks and congratulations to the provincial government for its environmental protection efforts.

Wan Hui, WWF representative, said these efforts were "highly valued", which is why Qinling was named "the second Gift to the Earth in China, and the 83rd in the world".

Protection work on the mountain has been stepped up in the 13 years since it was listed as a Gift to the Earth and these efforts were on show at the exhibition.

Shaanxi Daily, sponsor of the exhibition, launched a publication entitled the World of Qinling on Friday, to commemorate Earth Day and to further publicize and promote protection work on the mountain.