Environmental protection and restoration work on Wuliangsu Lake has achieved apparent results, with a large number of migratory birds now visiting the lake during their annual winter journey to warmer southern areas.

The lake is a large, multi-functional water body located in the desolate and drought-stricken grasslands near Bayannuur city in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

At present, Wuliangsu Lake is home to 22 fish species and 264 species of birds. The total number of birds exceeds 6 million, of which 45 species are national first-class and second-class protected birds.

Wuliangsu Lake’s ecological status and diversity were not always so positive: several years ago, the lake suffered severe environmental problems, with its water pollution rating exceeding Class V – the lowest water-quality level.

In April 2019, Wuliangsu Lake began a wide-ranging treatment program, which involves replenishing lake water, dredging waterways, clearing silt and treating water plants.

The comprehensive treatment plan comprises 34 projects in five categories, of which 13 projects have been completed. The remaining tasks will be finished by the end of the year.

Statistics show that the Yellow River Water Conservancy Commission supplied 594 million cubic meters of water to Wuliangsu Lake in 2018 and 615 million cubic meters of water in 2019. So far this year, 490 million cubic meters of water has been supplied to the lake.

“The water supply to Wuliangsu has three major functions: preventing swamping, maintaining water and salt balance, and improving the water quality,” said Zhang Haowen, director of the drainage management bureau of the Hetao irrigation area.

The environmental restoration work has benefited 72,500 hectares of sand-covered lands in the Ulan Buhe Desert, in the Wuliangsu Lake Basin's upper reaches. Also, all urban sewage treatment plants in the basin have reached the national level A discharge standard.