Yunnan enacts new regulation to protect plateau lakes

Yunnan province's top legislature has enacted a regulation to protect the inflow rivers of the province's key plateau lakes, a move to further safeguard their water quality and ecological security.

The regulation, passed at the 17th session of the 14th Standing Committee of the Yunnan Provincial People's Congress, will take effect on Sept 1.

A view of the Erhai lake in west Yunnan's Dali

The plateau lakes mentioned in the regulation refer to the Dianchi, Erhai, Fuxian, Chenghai, Lugu, Qilu, Yilong, Xingyun, and Yangzonghai lakes across the cities and prefectures of Kunming, Yuxi, Honghe, Dali, and Lijiang.

According to local authorities, the nine plateau lakes have a combined basin area of 8,110 square kilometers and support over 7 million people. They serve as the region's vital ecological and life-sustaining systems.

The regulation stipulates that the provincial government shall oversee and coordinate the protection and management of inflow rivers and that governments at all levels and relevant departments in areas with inflow rivers must disclose reporting channels for public oversight.

It prohibits all construction activities unrelated to inflow river protection within designated control zones, except for legally approved public infrastructure projects. Other behaviors that are likely to cause environmental pollution or ecological damage, such as washing vehicles, pets, and livestock in inflow rivers, aquaculture in open waters, or releasing non-native species, are also prohibited.

The regulation stipulates that government agencies and their staff failing to fulfill their duties as required shall face disciplinary actions. Those who commit criminal offenses shall be held criminally liable.