Underwater Scavengers: Scuba enthusiasts in SW China clean up a lake

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Many freshwater lakes and rivers in southwest China's Guizhou province are good places for scuba enthusiasts. But what lies beneath the surface may give one pause. Some local scuba enthusiasts have started a campaign to as they put it, "purify water". CGTN's XING RUINAN has more.

A lake shouldn't be like this.

Once a plastic bag sinks, water pressure will keep it down.

Zhi Ga A Lu Lake in Bijie city, northwestern Guizhou province draws tourists with its breathtaking scenery. But it also has its own garbage heap.

And for the staff, it's become a fact of life.

WANG JIAQI HEAD OF LOCAL CRUISE COMPANY "First, we don't know. Second, even if we know the situation, we cannot take the garbage out of the water."

In 2013, scuba enthusiast Zhang Xudong launched a series of underwater clean-up operations among his diving friends.

Every time they dive to a depth of over ten meters, they try to salvage as much garbage as possible.

ZHANG XUDONG SCUBA ENTHUSIAST "Actually people seldom notice the garbage under the water. But it may cause persistent water pollution."

Such operations are difficult and risky.

The air supply only lasts about 40 minutes.

And there are other problems.

ZHOU YUANJIE SCUBA ENTHUSIAST "Just now my swim fins got entangled with strings, so I was trapped until they found me. The swim fins help propel me. Without them, it'll be uncomfortable."

Zhang said their team has been expanded in recent years, as more and more people realize the harm of the underwater garbage.

Now in Guiyang, there are over 30 "underwater scavengers". They come from various professions, including doctors, journalists and engineers.

They work together to watch over this beautiful lake both above and below the surface.

XING RUINAN, CGTN.