Improvements in ecological environment merit Lipu national award

The COP 15 is held on Oct 14 in Yunnan's Kunming. [Photo by Zhuo Rongjin for chinadaily.com.cn]

Lipu city in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region received the honor as a national demonstration zone for ecological civilization construction at the Leaders' Summit of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, also known as COP 15, on Oct 14 in Yunnan's Kunming. 

In recent years, Lipu has been insisting on the development concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" to devote continuous efforts in optimizing its ecological environment and bringing benefits for local residents.  

Taro, water chestnuts and sugar orange from Lipu have gained geographical indication products certification from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the plantation of these tree products reached 390,000 mu (26,000 hectares) with an annual output value of over 2 billion yuan ($313 million).

One town in Lipu has gained the national title for an outstanding ecological environment, four villages have become national forestry villages and one area has been named as a demonstration zone for ecological tourism in Guangxi. 

A corner of Lijiang National Wetland Park in Lipu. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The city finished a total forestation of 20,581.59 mu during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) and 2.93 million trees were planted voluntarily by local residents. Currently, the forest coverage in Lipu has stood at 70.89 percent. 

Idle land in Lipu has been cultivated into green land allowing local residents to have places for leisure without traveling over 300 meters away from home. The Lijiang River National Wetland Park has also been built, providing one more choice for people to travel.