After two decades of dryness, East Juyan Lake in Inner Mongolia has reclaimed its ecological significance, marking a significant milestone in the region’s environmental restoration efforts. According to the Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources, the lake has maintained its water levels for the past 20 years, a testament to successful water diversion initiatives.
Located in Ejin Banner at the tail of the Heihe River, China’s second-largest continental river, East Juyan Lake had dried up in 1992 due to extensive water interception for irrigation during the 1950s and 1960s. This drought led to the expansion of the surrounding deserts—the Badain Jaran, Tengger, and Ulan Buh—at an alarming rate of 100,000 hectares per year, exacerbating sandstorms across northern China.
A concerted effort to combat desertification began in 2001, gradually restoring the lake’s water supply. By August 20, 2005, for the first time in over a decade, the lake remained dry-free for an entire year. Today, East Juyan Lake covers an area of 30 to 40 square kilometers year-round and supports 133 bird species, including over 100,000 migratory individuals.
The environmental revival has had broader impacts, with sandstorms in Ejin Banner decreasing by 50 percent since the 1980s. Ongoing water diversion projects, including recent seasonal efforts in winter and spring, ensure the lake's sustainability for the next two decades. Deputy Director Liu Longtao emphasized that 1.276 billion cubic meters of water have been diverted to the lake, maintaining an average annual flow of 58 million cubic meters.
East Juyan Lake not only serves as a vital ecological barrier in northwestern China but also highlights the effectiveness of integrated water management practices in restoring natural habitats and enhancing biodiversity.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
