Regular census of lakes and rivers could enhance water body protection

China plans to strengthen water body protection by establishing a regular census system for rivers and lakes and introducing a target-based management system to ensure flows that meet basic ecological needs.

Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying shared the information on Monday while presenting a draft revision to the Water Law to the country's top legislature for initial review.

Reporting to an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, he said the revision creates a dedicated chapter for river and lake management and conservation.

It stipulates the establishment of a regular census system for rivers and lakes at the state level and the implementation of a directory-based management system for them, he said.

The chapter mandates that management boundaries and shoreline protection zones be delineated for rivers and lakes, along with related management and protection measures.

According to the chapter, any expansion of agricultural land within the management boundaries of rivers and lakes will be prohibited. Existing forests or farmland in such areas should be phased out in an orderly manner if they endanger flood control safety.

In another move to strengthen water body conservation, the minister said the revision requires that reasonable targets for ecological flow control and flow release from water projects be set to better guarantee ecological water use for rivers and lakes.

If a newly built, renovated or expanded water project fails to meet ecological flow release requirements, the project owner would be subject to a fine of between 10,000 yuan ($1,463) and 100,000 yuan. For serious violations, the fine would range from 100,000 yuan to 500,000 yuan, according to the revision.

Another focus of the revision to the law is groundwater conservation, according to the minister.

It stipulates the establishment of a national groundwater reserve system, which should not be tapped except during exceptional drought years or major emergencies.

To ensure sustainable groundwater use, the revised law mandates a national system to control both the total volume of groundwater extraction and groundwater levels.

In addition, it requires the creation of a directory of water-stressed regions based on carrying capacity assessments. No new water abstraction permits will be issued in those regions, and comprehensive treatment measures must be implemented.

houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn