Flocks of waterbirds fly above the wetland in Yinchuan. [Photo/WeChat account: yinchuanfabu]
Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia, boasts a total wetland area of 53,100 hectares and has implemented a series of measures to protect and enhance its wetland ecosystem.
These measures include launching initiatives such as river and lake connectivity projects, promoting the use of recycled water, and meticulous management of wetland resources. Efforts encompass clearing marshy fish ponds, reclaiming illegal farmland, renovating river and lake shorelines, and opening up water flow channels.
The flourishing wetland along the Yinchuan section of the Yellow River. [Photo/WeChat account: yinchuanfabu]
The Honghua Canal, with its clear, green waters, exemplifies this success. This ancient canal, with a history spanning nearly 1,300 years, has been revitalized by a newly established water supply channel that integrates Yinchuan's river and lake network. Every day, 8,000 cubic meters of water flow through the canal, restoring its pristine waters.
To safeguard these achievements, Yinchuan has introduced several regulations, such as delineating ecological red lines for 31 lakes and wetlands, including Mingcui Lake.
Effective utilization of recycled water resources has also been a key strategy. In 2023 alone, the first recycled water plant in Yinchuan utilized 9.5 million cubic meters of recycled water, with 90 percent of it used for ecological water replacement, according to authorities.
Interconnected lakes weave through Yinchuan. [Photo/WeChat account: yinchuanfabu]