Ministry of Water Resources and Government of Beijing Municipality are accelerating the restoration of river and lake ecological environment, and implementing the Mather River Revival Action. The five major rivers in Beijing have been flowing into sea for four consecutive years, becoming a good example of the national river and lake revitalization. On October 17th, 2024, a press conference commenced in Ministry of Water Resources to introduce the progress of river and lake recovery in Beijing. Mr. Wang Baoen, Vice Minister of Water Resources, briefed relevant situations.
Protection and management of rivers and lakes in Beijing are highly related to the capital’s ecological security and long-term economic and social development. In recent years, Ministry of Water Resources has thoroughly practiced President Xi Jinping’s water governance principles of “prioritizing water conservation, balancing spatial distribution, taking systematic approaches and promoting government-market synergy” and adhered to the integrated conservation and systematic governance of mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, grasslands and deserts, thus speeding up the recovery of river and lake ecological environment. The city has explored and formed a new model for river recovery in the northern area with water scarcity. The surface water quality of rivers and lakes in the city has been significantly upgraded, and the ecological environment of rivers and lakes is continuously improving.
Wang Baoen noted that Ministry of Water Resources insists on systematic planning and guides the city to develop the protection and restoration plan with a “one river, one plan” approach, based on the integrity of ecosystems and the holistic system of river basins. Ministry of Water Resources pushes forward the efficient and intensive use of water resources, and guides the city to set up a water-saving system that runs through the whole process of water resources management. In 2023, water consumption per 10,000 RMB of GDP in Beijing declined to 9.30 m3, a cumulative decrease of 32.6% in the past decade. Ministry of Water Resources carries out the inelastic water resources constraint system, sets the ecological flow targets for 50 cross-sections of 39 rivers and lakes in Haihe River Basin, and guides the city to conduct the program of strengthening water abstraction and use management. Although the total economic output was doubled, the city’s total water consumption has remained no increase since 2014. Ministry of Water Resources optimizes water allocation and scheduling, and guides the city to unveil the Construction Plan of Beijing Water Network. Since 2018, Ministry of Water Resources has continuously implemented ecological water replenishment, thus helping the Grand Canal to achieve full water flow connectivity, and Yongding River to flow along its entire length for four consecutive years since 2021. Focusing on the governance of groundwater over-exploitation areas and the restoration of key spring areas, Ministry of Water Resources guides the city to gear up the groundwater management. Since 2015, the total groundwater level in the city has risen by 13.68 meters, increasing underground water reserve by 7 billion m3.
Wang Baoen stated that Ministry of Water Resources and Government of Beijing Municipality will spare no efforts to enhance the protection and rehabilitation of river and lake ecosystems, promote the recovery of river and lake ecological environment, maintain the healthy life of rivers and lakes, and build a beautiful Beijing with a good ecological environment and a harmonious coexistence between human and water.
Source: INTCE