Chongqing's Liangping Shines at the 2024 Roundtable of Wetland City Mayors

Chongqing - On October 15, the 2024 Roundtable of Wetland City Mayors opened in Dongying, Shandong, bringing together global leaders in wetland protection. As one of the International Wetland Cities, Chongqing’s Liangping District was invited to share its unique insights and experiences in wetland conservation and sustainable development.

Liangping District, located in the northeast of Chongqing, is characterized by its fertile lands and rolling hills. Focusing on small and micro wetlands, the district has creatively integrated its diverse natural features, including water systems, lakes, reservoirs, ditches, ponds, and streams. With nearly 20,000 hectares of wetlands, accounting for 11% of the area, Liangping is the only International Wetland City in Southwest China recognized under the RAMSAR Convention.

The Rural Small and Micro Wetland Park in Zhushan Town. (Photo/Gao Xiaohua)

Liangping follows the principle of preserving its natural ecological environment and has implemented more than ten ecological restoration projects. Through near-nature restoration methods, the district has conserved the forest communities around lakes, safeguarded its scenic shorelines, established protected zones, and built habitats for wildlife and plants, resulting in a notable increase in biodiversity.

At the conference, Qian Jianchao, Secretary of the CPC Liangping District Committee, highlighted the district’s innovative strategies and offered key insights into its wetland conservation successes to the international community.

He emphasized the district’s commitment to raising public awareness through nature education. Thirty-six wetland education centers, including eight dedicated schools, have been established. Over 120,000 people, particularly youth, have participated in programs that foster a deep understanding of wetland protection.

Qian Jianchao, Secretary of the CPC Liangping District Committee, gave a speech at the conference. (Photo/Tan Jiaxin)

Qian also introduced Liangping’s distinctive “small and micro wetland +” approach, which integrates wetlands into urban and rural water systems. This has not only enhanced biodiversity but also improved water purification and ecological resilience. The district’s innovative practices, such as the low-cost paddy wetland project around Shuanggui Lake, have significantly contributed to national wetland restoration efforts.

Additionally, Qian discussed how Liangping has successfully linked wetland conservation with economic development. By promoting eco-tourism and organic agriculture, the district has created new avenues for income generation, turning ecological assets into tangible benefits for local communities. Liangping has attracted over 15 million tourists and generated over 10 billion yuan ($1.41 billion) in tourism this year alone.

With the total value of Liangping’s wetland ecological products reaching 17.74 billion yuan, the district has become a model for international wetland city development. Its success story is a local achievement and a replicable ‘Liangping experience’ that offers valuable lessons on how wetland conservation can drive sustainable economic growth globally.