Southwest China's Yunnan Province on Saturday adopted new amendments to regulations designed to protect the ecosystem of four major plateau lakes in the province. 

The provincial legislature signed into law four documents regulating human activities near Yunnan's four important lakes, for example, fishing, tourism, real estate development, and water pollution.

The four documents are part of Yunnan's efforts to offer legal protection to each of its nine plateau lakes over 30 square kilometers in size. According to China Daily, many of the previous regulations were made in the 1990s with loopholes hampering their implementation, and thus are in need of upgrading.

Under the new regulations, the four plateau lakes, the Lugu, Xingyun, Qilu and Chenghai lakes will each be appointed personnel in charge of law enforcement. 

Key areas of ecological conservation will be designated at the four lakes, which will apply the strictest standards to preserve its biodiversity and environment, including measures to curb pollution, relocate residents and phase out industrial development, so as to minimize human intervention.

More specifically, Xingyun Lake will enforce a fishing ban in designated areas and at designated time periods; Qilu Lake will cap the discharge of certain pollutants and regulate sewage disposal and water use; Chenghai Lake will strengthen management of fishing activities; and Lugu Lake will ban direct sewage discharge and control tourism activities. 

In addition, illegal real estate development activities in key areas of Lugu Lake will be prohibited. Violators could face mandatory demolition and a fine of up to 1 million yuan (about $137,000). Other water-polluting activities, including washing vehicles, pets, livestock and poultry, and agricultural produces are also forbidden in Lugu's water body. Violators could face fines of up to 1,000 yuan.

The biologically diverse Yunnan, one of a few places in China that own tropical rainforests, is key to China's ecological preservation. 

Many of Yunnan's plateau lakes, such as the Dianchi and Erhai lakes, suffered severe water pollution and ecological degradation in the latter half of the 20th century. 

Among the four documents, two will take effect from December 1, 2023, and the other two on January 1, 2024.

(Cover images via CFP)

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