Preparations are under way for the possible addition of China's 1,800-kilometer-long Grand Canal to the World Heritage List in 2014, according to heritage experts at a conservation forum held recently in the county of Sixian, Anhui province.

One part of the canal system in this nomination effort is the 650 km Tongji Canal. The canal, which was originally dug in AD 605, runs from Yingyang in Henan to Xuyi in Jiangsu.

Sixian is home to a 28 km waterway that has retained the same layout it had when it was built more than 1,000 years ago. An 8 km section was selected in late June for nomination to UNESCO.

The waterway has been the focus of local conservation efforts, said experts at the three-day event, which started June 27.

The county government has designated an office to coordinate canal conservation among different departments.

It has also set up a 10 million yuan ($1.57 million) special conservation fund, which is earmarked for collecting historical records of the canal in the county and preparing its nomination files, local officials said.

Efforts have also been made to improve the canal's water quality.

A 220 million yuan project is under way in a bid to divert water from the new Bianhe River to replenish the ancient Tongji Canal. Now, the preliminary stage of the project has been finished.

In addition, archaeological excavations have been conducted along the waterway.

Findings at five sites in the county have helped ascertain more facts of the ancient canal, paving the way for better conservation.

Additionally, the local legislature has promulgated protective regulations for the sections of the waterway that lie within the county.

Besides official efforts, local residents, who have lived along the river for generations, are also highly engaged in its conservation, said local officials.

Cultural heritage experts noted that the preservation of the canal is crucial in its application efforts. To this end, the local government has been advised to save more capital.

Contact the writers at lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn and zhangshiyi@chinadaily.com.cn