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China's mining pit remains transform into fairyland

(People's Daily Online)    17:09, November 21, 2019

(Xinhua Daily Telegraph/Photo provided by Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Yubei District, Chongqing)

Thanks to ecological restoration, limestone mining pit remains located in Yubei District of Chongqing in southwestern China have now been transformed into a fairyland linked by a beautiful cluster of lakes. The area has recently gained attention online, causing a rise in tourism to the area.

Thanks to the rich limestone deposits, as early as the 1960s, the current fairyland was home to numerous limestone quarries. The limestone produced here once accounted for one-third of Chongqing's niche market, and sustained the lives of more than 7,000 people.

"At that time, our village was prosperous. Through mining and renting land, the collective economic income of our village was 200-300 million yuan (about 28-42 million US dollars) a year," recalled Lou Zhongqiang, a resident in the village.

However, along with economic gain came massive destruction to the ecological environment. Forests were cut down to make more land, and pit mines replaced arable land; roads had to be maintained annually due to the continuous stream of large trucks. The village was clouded with dust all year round.

In an aerial image accessed by the reporter, 41 large, bare, open-pit mines could be seen from above.

After realizing the damage to the ecological environment, the local government decided to shut down all the quarries and restore the natural scenery. Grassroots cadres played a vital role in the efforts, as many of them took the lead in closing their quarries, and persuaded other owners to follow suit.

After the quarries were all closed, the majority of the villagers moved to urban areas or became migrant workers. But gradually, more than ten of the 41 mining pits have accumulated clear water, forming a cluster of lakes in various shades of sapphire and emerald, while the others have emerged as rather magnificent limestone cliffs.

The National Tourism Administration even awarded the area in 2017. After the fairyland went viral, tourism has soared, with many arriving to take part in rock climbing, kayaking, and picture-taking.

A mining park is planned here, and the local government has raised more than 20 million yuan for further ecological restoration projects, which will contribute to 122 mu (8 hectares) of usable forest land, 280 mu of arable land and 149 mu of construction land.

"When the park is built, and there are more visitors, we can surely make a fortune here!" said a villager with a big smile on his face. 

(For the latest China news, Please follow People's Daily on Twitter and Facebook)(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Du Mingming)

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