Qingzhen's ecosystem significantly improves over past 30 years

Over the past 30 years, Qingzhen city in Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou province has been focusing on ecosystem restoration by optimizing its industrial structure and rolling out measures to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, and has won a series of national titles in recognition of its green endeavors, being listed among China's top 100 counties in terms of development as well as being honored as a national modern agricultural demonstration zone and State-level green industry pilot base.

The tremendous changes at Red Maple Lake, for example, reflect what the government has done to restore local ecosystems.

In the beginning of the 21st century, many polluting enterprises developed around the lake, and a total output each year was about 10 billion yuan ($1.42 billion). These firms have greatly deteriorated the water environment of the lake. In addition, the highly intensive fishery operated by local villagers, as well as the sewage and garbage produced in tourism activities, had all damaged the lake's ecosystems.

To improve the water quality of the lake, the Guiyang and Qingzhen governments invested 865 million yuan to relocate residents living around the lake. The 15 pollution-intensive firms have been banned from operating, and about 122,000 square meters of illegal buildings near the lake have been torn down.

In addition, Qingzhen founded China's first ecological court that handles related civil, criminal and administrative cases.

After years of effort, the water quality of Red Maple Lake is now stable at Grade III. By the end of 2021, the city's forest coverage rate reached 51.46 percent, with the air quality and surface water quality improving gradually.