{"id":22999,"date":"2026-08-16T16:35:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T10:50:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=22999"},"modified":"2026-08-16T16:35:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T10:50:51","slug":"rare-aquatic-plant-returns-to-erhai-lake-signalling-major-ecological-restoration-in-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=22999","title":{"rendered":"Rare Aquatic Plant Returns to Erhai Lake, Signalling Major Ecological Restoration in China<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dragon Media News Desk<\/strong><\/p>\n

A rare aquatic plant that thrives only in exceptionally clean water has made a large-scale return to Erhai Lake in southwest China\u2019s Yunnan Province, offering a striking indication of the lake\u2019s ecological recovery.<\/p>\n

Ottelia acuminata, an aquatic plant endemic to China, requires highly transparent, clean and calcium-rich water. Because it cannot survive in polluted conditions, the plant is widely regarded as a natural indicator of aquatic ecosystem health.<\/p>\n

In the early 1990s, increasing agricultural pollution severely degraded the water quality of Erhai Lake. A major blue-green algae outbreak in 1996 left the water turbid and foul-smelling, while Ottelia acuminata nearly disappeared from the lake.<\/p>\n

After years of targeted ecological protection and restoration, however, water quality has steadily improved. Official data show that Erhai Lake maintained an excellent Grade II water-quality standard from January to June 2026.<\/p>\n

The recovery of Ottelia acuminata has followed that improvement. Its coverage in the lake expanded from about 90,000 square metres in 2021 to 950,000 square metres in 2026.<\/p>\n

China\u2019s Ecological and Environmental Code, which came into force on Saturday, has further strengthened the legal foundation for protecting and restoring river and lake ecosystems across the country.<\/p>\n

The recovery of Erhai Lake has also generated new economic opportunities for local communities. As an edible aquatic plant, Ottelia acuminata is now being cultivated commercially and developed into products including tea, plant-based coffee and cookies.<\/p>\n

In 2018, environmental worker Zhong Lan identified the plant\u2019s potential both for water purification and industrial development. With support from local authorities and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, she later established a company and, in 2024, built a research base that developed standardized cultivation techniques allowing high yields and repeated harvesting.<\/p>\n

Local villager Li Xinyuan, who had previously abandoned Ottelia cultivation because of low returns, resumed planting in 2023. He now earns a stable monthly income of 4,500 yuan at the research base.<\/p>\n

Another villager, Du Hongquan, earned more than 100,000 yuan from growing the plant last year and has more than doubled his cultivation area this year.<\/p>\n

Eryuan County, a major water-source area for Erhai Lake, now has more than 200 hectares under Ottelia acuminata cultivation, creating additional employment opportunities for local residents.<\/p>\n

The lake\u2019s improving natural environment has also strengthened tourism. In 2025, the Dali area received more than 120 million tourist visits, with visitors attracted by Erhai Lake\u2019s scenery and the culture of the local Bai ethnic community.<\/p>\n

Last month, China\u2019s State Council released a plan for advancing the Beautiful China initiative during the 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030.<\/p>\n

The plan sets targets for overall improvement in ecological and environmental quality, wider adoption of green production and lifestyles, and achieving the country\u2019s carbon-peaking objective on schedule by 2030.<\/p>\n

The return of Ottelia acuminata to Erhai Lake is being presented as a visible example of how ecological restoration, local livelihoods and green economic development can reinforce one another.<\/p>\n

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