China Protects Its Second Deepest LakeChina has started to pull down illegal buildings and hotels that polluted the Fuxian Lake, its second deepest lake in southwest China's Yunnan Province, in an effort to protect lake environments.The Fuxian Lake covers an area of 212 square kilometers with a depth of 151.1 meters. Although the lake still reaches the top water quality standard set by the government, the water along the lakeside is polluted by sewage from hotels and restaurants. The local government will plant trees and develop grass areas along the side of the lake to allow people to enjoy the lakeside scenery. More than 100 families have begun to relocate from their houses along the lake side in an action that was supported by villagers. "More tourists will come here if the lake becomes clearer and more attractive and we have seen the potential of earning more money and improving our life," said Pu Guocui, a villager. About 200 families will be relocated by the end of the year and a lakeside highway will be built for sightseeing, according to the local government. The local government has set up an overall project of sustainable development of the lake with the advisory of European exports and plans to recover the lake environment within three years, said Li Jiang, the mayor of Yuxi City, where the lake is situated. |
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