From threatened to thriving: the environmental restoration of Guangyang Isle in SW China

An aerial drone photo shows a view of Guangyang Isle in southwest China's Chongqing, March 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

CHONGQING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Guangyang Isle, the most extensive green island in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, has been turned into an ecological restoration and protection "classroom" for ecotourists and school children.

The local ecosystem and biodiversity were once seriously threatened due to real-estate projects in the area. However, the local government brought harmful projects of this sort to a halt in 2017, starting the restoration of the environment on the island.

An aerial drone photo shows fields of cole flowers at Guangyang Isle in southwest China's Chongqing, March 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of Guangyang Isle in southwest China's Chongqing, March 16, 2024.(Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

An aerial drone photo shows fields of cole flowers at Guangyang Isle in southwest China's Chongqing, March 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

A child flies a kite at Guangyang Isle in southwest China's Chongqing, March 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

Tourists take photos at Guangyang Isle in southwest China's Chongqing, March 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

Tourists ride a horse at Guangyang Isle in southwest China's Chongqing, March 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

Children have fun at Guangyang Isle in southwest China's Chongqing, March 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)