Verdant development zone reveals green efforts

Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ) boasts an optimized ecological environment. [Photo/whkfq.gov.cn]

On June 5, World Environment Day, a walk along the shores of Zhuangyuan Lake reveals fresh air and abundant greenery in the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ).

Before being restored, the shores of the lake were overgrown with weeds, and it was common to see local residents growing vegetables and raising poultry by the lake. The lake was privately contracted for fish farming, resulting in murky water classified as Grade V.

The lake's transformation began in 2020 when WEDZ built new connecting channels to link Guanlian Lake, Xiashan Lake, Zhumu Lake, and Zhuangyuan Lake. Ecological restoration efforts included shoreline cleanup, removal of fish ponds, planting of submerged and emergent plants like reeds and sweet flags, and the introduction of bottom-dwelling animals such as snakeheads and mandarin fish. These efforts revitalized Zhuangyuan Lake.

Lotuses bloom in summer in WEDZ. [Photo/whkfq.gov.cn]

Longling Mountain, which was a mining site in the 1990s with over a dozen quarries, once had numerous pits that scarred the landscape.

Since 2013, WEDZ has been comprehensively managing the mountain, turning the abandoned mining area into a green, scenic area. Today, the pits have been transformed into flower fields. Longling Mountain Park covers over 266.67 hectares and boasts a complete forest and wetland ecosystem.

WEDZ has 26 key lakes and rivers included in its river and lake governance initiative, building a comprehensive ecological water network. A total of 54 parks have been built, with a recreational green space area of 17.5 square meters per person – among the most in Wuhan.