A year after the Yellow River Protection Law took effect, the ecological environment within China's Yellow River basin has seen notable improvements. This legislation has strengthened legal enforcement capabilities for ecological conservation, restoration, and environmental pollution control along the river.
The Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources has played a pivotal role since its implementation, enhancing the protection and management of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs across the basin. For the first time, tributary reservoirs have been discharging clear water during peak water and sand transfer periods, mitigating impacts on aquatic life and habitats while achieving multiple objectives: sand discharge, sediment reduction, and ecological preservation.
Additionally, in 2023, the basin experienced a decrease in both the area and intensity of soil and water loss, with an impressive 12,500 square kilometers now under control. As China’s second longest river and the most sand-laden globally, the Yellow River’s protection law marks a significant step in environmental governance, following the Yangtze River Protection Law enacted on March 1, 2021.
Reference(s):
New law improves ecological environment in the Yellow River basin
cgtn.com
