(Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

Jiangsu has recognized 315 rivers and lakes in an ongoing program aimed at enhancing waterbodies to significantly contribute to people’s wellbeing and happiness.

As the pioneer in implementing this initiative provincewide, Jiangsu has 86.7% of its key rivers and lakes in a healthy ecological state. The province’s goals are to recognize all rivers and lakes in the built-up urban area by 2025 and to expand this recognition to all waterbodies throughout the province by 2035.

Among those acknowledged is Yuandang Lake, located at the boundary of Wujiang District of Suzhou City and Qingpu District in Shanghai. Recently, Yuandang has passed the review to be honored in the program, the first within the eco-green integrated development demonstration zone in the Yangtze River Delta.

Previously, Yuandang was plagued by inferior water quality and disorganization due to the separate administration by Jiangsu and Shanghai, which led to issues such as a 4-km-long barrier, a substandard traffic network and rampant weeds.

In 2020, Wujiang and Qingpu began a collaborative effort to renovate and manage the area, embarking on systematic ecological restoration, and this has significantly improved water quality and management system.

Jiangsu’s campaign against environmental harmful activities has been bolstered by the participation of 57,000 designated river and lake chiefs. The province plans to enhance its management approaches by clearly defining the responsibilities and setting priorities.