Wudang makes big gains in sustainable development

A wide view of Wudang district in Guiyang city [Photo/Guiyang Daily]

Wudang district in Guiyang city, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, has made major gains in increasing its sustainable development. 

It has advanced the integration of environmental improvements and industrial development and worked on establishing itself as a practice innovation base for the Chinese green concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets". 

Wudang has prioritized environmental protection by implementing protection and restoration projects for landscapes, forests, farmlands and lakes, and enforcing environmental laws and pollution control measures. 

The 10.9-kilometer mother river of the district – Songxi River – has been cited as a primary example of Wudang's successful achievements in pollution control and environmental improvement.

The north-south river was once heavily polluted due to the district's rapid industrialization, which affected the life of locals. 

The district began river treatment in 2016, by establishing a long-term mechanism for river management and developing a smart water affairs system. Moreover, it designated personnel for river cleaning and inspections and achieved disciplined river management.

As a result, the Songxi River has been cleaned up, with the species of plants in the waterway increasing by an estimated 100.

A river winds through lush vegetation in Wudang district. [Photo/Guiyang Daily]

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), Wudang's forest coverage rate increased from 49.93 percent to 59.48 percent, ranking it first in Guiyang city. 

In the same period, the ambient air quality was significantly improved and urban sewage treatment facilities were extended to cover the entire district. Meanwhile, the treatment rate of urban domestic garbage reached 98 percent and the utilization rate for industrial solid waste disposal reached 100 percent. 

While protecting its lucid waters and lush mountains, Wudang has also integrated environmental improvements with industrial development, turning natural resources into assets. 

The district has adhered to green development – coordinating it with the integrated development of the health, tourism and big data industries – and formed an environmental industry ecosystem led by the health industry. 

It has extended its industry supply chains to upstream primary industries engaged in the planting and cultivation of ingredients for Chinese medicine and health foods, and to the downstream tertiary industries of health services, sports and leisure and senior care, based on its pharmaceuticals industry. 

Moving forward, Wudang plans to further develop a green and sustainable economy, as well as establish a balanced coexistence between humanity and nature.