Today, the vast Yangtian Lake Grassland has evolved into an embodiment of “poetry and distant horizons” in the minds of travelers. However, prior to 2020, it faced challenges stemming from excessive grazing, resulting in grassland desertification and severe soil erosion.

 

To safeguard and restore the ecological environment of the Yangtian Lake Grassland, Beihu District formulated the “Ecological Restoration and Governance Plan for Yangtian Lake Grassland” in 2020. This comprehensive plan encompassed various actions such as ecological protection, restoration initiatives, and strengthened enforcement of grassland regulations.

 

The plan effectively improved the protection mechanism by implementing measures that balanced enclosure and ecological restoration, facilitating the relocation of over 14,000 cattle, sheep, and horses and the installation of safety nets to promote the scientific and regulated restoration of the grasslands.

 

 

Liu Huadong, deputy general manager of the Yangtian Lake Scenic Area, explained, “We have implemented comprehensive enclosure measures across the core grasslands, ensuring orderly management and preventing overgrazing by livestock. Additionally, we have undertaken various greening techniques in areas affected by bareness and sandiness. These methods include grass seeding, turfing, fertilization, watering, and weed control. Our daily maintenance team consists of nearly 70 personnel dedicated to the upkeep of the scenic area’s grasslands.”

 

During the winter season, the Yangtian Lake Grassland Scenic Area enters a period of maintenance, and when spring arrives, nearby villagers wholeheartedly contribute their efforts to enhance the area’s greenery.

 

As a result of these ecological restoration efforts, from June 2020 to the present, an impressive 1,132,000 square meters of grasslands have been successfully restored, raising the vegetation coverage rate from 64% in 2019 to an impressive 95%.

 

Beyond the preservation and restoration of the grassland resources, the management of water resources has emerged as a prominent highlight in the overall ecological development of Yangtian Lake. To enhance the ecological environment of the scenic area, the restoration of Yangtian Lake’s water system has been seamlessly integrated into the landscape through dam repairs and silt removal, thereby restoring the water storage capacity of the lake.

 

Furthermore, this year witnessed an upgrade of the water ecological systems in five lakes within the scenic area, accomplished through dredging and water quality regulation, resulting in a clear and vibrant aquatic ecosystem.

 

 

The post-beautification phase of Yangtian Lake has also catalyzed the cultural and tourism development of local villages. With improvements in infrastructure, scenic area construction, and road expansion, the verdant and eco-friendly environment has contributed to increasing prosperity among the villagers. The per capita annual income has surpassed 50,000 yuan, significantly driving the revitalization of rural areas.

 

During the May Day holiday this year, the Yangtian Lake Grassland Scenic Area hosted a staggering total of 103,270 visitors, representing a remarkable 4.3-fold increase compared to the previous year. May 1 witnessed a new record of 36,800 visitors in a single day.

 

As the systematic restoration of Yangtian Lake’s grasslands, mountains, forests, fields, lakes, grass, and sands continues, the integration of ecological preservation and the cultural tourism industry has resulted in a magnificent masterpiece. The mountains are more enchanting, the grasslands greener, the waters clearer, and the people happier. This vivid tapestry of thriving ecosystems attracts a constant flow of visitors who come together to embrace the harmonious union of lush landscapes and a sustainable environment.