Shennongjia National Park: Wetland in Dajiu Lake maintains balanced ecosystem

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Known as the 'kidney of the Earth', wetlands boast remarkable biodiversity. But human activities have damaged the ecosystem in one wetland zone in central China's Shengnongjia forest. Thanks to protection measures in recent years, the environment is recovering, but experts say more needs to be done. CGTN's Zhao Yunfei reports.

Gearing up and getting ready to shoot, another day for photographer Zhang Jiuguo to explore the heaven of birds. Dajiu Lake in Shennongjia Nature Reserve is home to the largest and highest wetland in central China. It is believed to be a library that tells the story of water, mud and organisms for some 275 thousand years.

ZHANG JIUGUO MEMBER, HUBEI PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION "Over there, there's a great egret. There's a saying that egrets are the monitors of the climate. The bird only lives and breeds in places where the air is clean."

Dajiu Lake, located on the Asia-Oceania corridor, It is one of the key stopping points for migratory birds. Zhang says, in recent years, the improved environment in the area has resulted in many visitors staying.

ZHAO YUNFEI DAJIU LAKE, SHENNONGJIA NATIONAL PARK "There are more than 130 bird species on record in the Dajiu Lake area. But local photographers say they've captured way more than that. Wetlands have food sources for birds. The more kinds of birds there are, the more it proves the quality of the wetland."

ZHANG ZHIQI DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SCIENTIFIC ACADEMY, SHENNONGJIA NATIONAL PARK "The over-consumption of water resources in the past has broken the ecosystem. Due to the lack of species, the food chain is now incomplete. We are using scientific methods to restore the aquatic ecological environment."

The lake area has reached a stage of closed management, after relocating more than 400 local households outside the wetland. China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration reports the direct and indirect value brought by the wetland ecosystem in Dajiu Lake is about 56 million US dollars per year.

Some entrepreneurs have started businesses near the lake to embed some humanity into nature. Like this wedding photography studio.

CHEN BIN PHOTO STUDIO OWNER "The scene at the national wetland park can never be found elsewhere. The clouds in the high altitude area create a special atmosphere for new couples. I am sure it will leave them with romantic memories."

The national reserve encourages startups to set up homes here. And the tourism industry appears to just be getting started. Zhao Yunfei, CGTN, at the Shennongjia National Park, China.