Mata Lake, located in Zibo city's Huantai county, East China's Shandong province, has achieved a marked improvement in water environment after 10 years of comprehensive administration.
Since the 1980s, Mata Lake's ecological function saw severe degradation due to high-intensity industrialization and urbanization, as well as the reclamation of the lake area for farmland.
Mata Lake's fabulous scenery after a decade of treatment. [Photo/app.zbnews.net]
Later, Huantai county carried out a decade-long comprehensive management action plan for the lake in order to restore its clear water, which in turn would encourage wildlife and various plant species to return.
Huantai county also constructed wetlands and ecological river courses that have enhanced the environment carrying capacity of the basin.
In the last six years, Mata Lake's groundwater depth has increased by 2.9 meters, and its water storage capacity has increased from 3 million cubic meters to 25 million cu m.
Currently, the lake area is home to 246 species of wild animals and plants. Additionally, more than 10 protected species of wild birds, such as egrets and white cranes, have also returned to the restored area.
Birds take a rest in Mata Lake. [Photo/app.zbnews.net]
