Red Maple Lake National Wetland Park passes provincial evaluation

The intoxicating Red Maple Lake National Wetland Park after years of restoration work by the local government [Photo/Guiyang news network] 

The Red Maple Lake National Wetland Park in Qingzhen, Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou province, has recently passed the evaluation of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Guizhou Provincial Department of Forestry. 

Located in western Qingzhen, the park has a planned construction area of 5,567.34 hectares. Since it was approved as a pilot construction site by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration in December 2015, the Qingzhen government has enacted measures to protect the wetland, complete its infrastructure, increase villager engagement in the protection process, and adopt a series of scientific methods to push forward the development of the wetland. 

A total of 558 households in the Class-1 water source conservation area of the park have been relocated, and more than 20 factories, 20 agritainments, and 500 illegal barbecue sites have been prohibited from operating. In addition, the government has established 132 sets of sewage processing facilities and has managed domestic sewage produced by 128 village groups near the park. 

Over 266.67 hectares of degraded wetland have been successfully restored as well, and more than 320,000 trees and shrubs have been planted in the wetland. 

In addition, authorities in charge of the park have installed eight bird observation stations and 20 other observation stations for the monitoring of water, plants, fish and wild animals. 

In a bid to increase the public's environmental protection awareness and promote biodiversity, the government has arranged over 50 scientific knowledge publicity campaigns. Around 500 residents living near the wetland park have been hired to engage in the sewage and forest management programs of the park. 

The agricultural structure surrounding the lake has undergone tremendous changes, and lands that used to be used to grow grain are now filled with flowers, fruits, vegetables, and tea trees. 

Statistics show that from 2018-19, the Red Maple Lake Scenic Area reaped over 42.6 million yuan ($6.39 million) in tourism revenue, achieving the sustainable development of the wetland and its surrounding communities.