Integrated Control of the Four-lake Watershed in Hubei Province of China

摘要

The Four-lake watershed (FLW) is important to the Hubei Province of China for its production in grain, cotton, oil plants and aquatic products. However, in the last twenty years, owing to the impacts of population growth, industrial development, inadequate and aging water infrastructure, its environmental state has been deteriorating. In addition, FLW has been suffering from flooding whenever the Yangtze River overflows, or water-logging problem during heavy rainfall, lake eutrophication, and some people who use or even got into contact with the water suffer from schistosomiasis. In view of these problems, to ensure the future sustainable development of the FLW socially and economically, the Hubei provincial government formally implemented an integrated management and control strategy for the FLW, which includes returning reclaimed lands to lakes, proper treatment of industrial and municipal wastes before discharging to receiving water bodies, planting of floating grasses, increase species and population of fish, and active participation of its residents. After three years, there is clear evidence of ecological recovery of the FLW. With a review of relevant historical experiences, this paper discusses the essential ingredients of the integrated management and control necessary to achieve a successful restoration of FLW's environmental integrity.