Pollution control improves water quality in the Yangtze

Tougher guardrails on industry, rapid urbanization and waste runoff see migratory birds return to wetlands

Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

With the majority of its water surface crammed with aquaculture enclosures, the oxygen-starved waters of the 11,600-hectare Chenhu Lake Wetland Nature Reserve would often give off a foul smell.

That is Feng Jiang's memory of the reserve located in Wuhan, Hubei province, from back in 2008.