Buildings torn down inside protected area

According to Kunming authorities, as of Sunday, the government had demolished buildings with floor area of over 27,000 square meters, while more than 200,000 trees had been planted.

The authorities also said on Monday that they will demolish the remaining illegal buildings by the end of the month.

The city government has vowed to hammer out a rectification plan with timetables, detailed tasks, specific responsible departments and officials. It also said a comprehensive, thorough screening for environmental violations will be rolled out around Dianchi Lake.

Liu Jiachen, mayor of Kunming, said the government will not only rectify the Changyao mountain project but also evaluate others located in protected areas around Dianchi Lake.

"We will resolutely halt any projects that go against the conservation of Dianchi Lake's ecosystem," he said.

Covering over 300 square kilometers, Dianchi Lake used to be one of the most polluted in the country because of the rapid urbanization and industrialization process in the 1980s.

The water has seen continuous improvement thanks to the local government's pollution control and ecosystem conservation efforts.