Reviving Lakes and Wetlands in the People's Republic of China

This publication continues the Asian Development Bank's analysis of lake and wetland rehabilitation in the People's Republic of China. It examines how the current situation in the Chao Lake Basin compares with international thinking on the conditions necessary for sustainable management of lake basins. The analysis highlights that the creation of the Chao Lake Management Authority (CLMA) and the formulation of the master plan do not mean the problem has been solved, only that the basic framework for solving the problem has been created. Building CLMA capacity, focusing more on managing agricultural pollution, introducing incentives to change farmer behavior, and updating the master plan to ensure its relevance are four key actions for the government to undertake in the coming years, if not decades.

The Sanjiang Plain wetlands are among the most important wetlands in the People's Republic of China with unique habitats, species, and ecology. There is a considerable body of literature devoted to various aspects of the Sanjiang Plain wetlands including their ecological values. Building on lessons from the Sanjiang Plain Wetlands Protection Project supported by the Asian Development Bank and the Global Environment Facility---and based on a comprehensive literature review and discussions with experts who have been directly involved in wetland conservation efforts---this publication synthesizes current knowledge on the Sanjiang Plain wetlands, best practices, and options for achieving sustainable wetland management.