Joint efforts increase environmental protection of China's Lugu Lake

Located in the mountainous ranges between Yunnan and Sichuan provinces about 200 kilometers from Lijiang, Lugu Lake is like a shimmering pearl inlaid in the hills of the northwest plateau in Yunnan. [Photo/IC]

Naka Drolma is a guesthouse operator and is also in charge of almost everything around her hotel, which is located by the Lugu Lake in Lijiang city, southwest China's Yunnan province.

Naka Drolma sweeps roads, empties trash and collects garbage on the green belts around her hotel, her zone of responsibility, three times a day. She also guarantees cars in her zone are orderly parked and reports damaged public facilities or those with hidden dangers to local authorities.

"With the guidance of the local government, public awareness of environmental protection around the lake has increased in recent years," she said. "Everyone is taking actions to protect our homeland."

Last year, the local government signed liability statements with 230 households of residents and hotel operators around the lake including Naka Drolma, prescribing their duties and zones of responsibilities to mobilize the public in lake protection.

"We want to have more people involved so that the protection work could be more effectively and extensively carried out," said Ruan Xuewu, deputy director of the administrative bureau of Lugu Lake.

Located in the juncture area between Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, Lugu is the highest lake in Yunnan, standing about 2,700 meters above sea level and surrounded by forest-clad mountains. Known as the "sparkling pearl embedded in the highland," Lugu Lake plays a key role in balancing the local environment.

"The water is crystal clear. You can always see its bottom. In the past, we drank water directly from the lake," said Naka Drolma.