Yunnan's pristine lake sparkles as people make new efforts to protect it

Naka Drolma, 47, runs a guesthouse. She is also in charge of almost everything around her hotel, which sits next to Lugu Lake in Lijiang, Yunnan province.

Three times a day, she sweeps roads, empties trash and collects garbage on the greenbelts around the hotel, her zone of responsibility. She also guarantees that cars in her zone are parked in an orderly manner, and she reports damaged public facilities and potential dangers to the local authorities.

"With the guidance of the local government, public awareness of environmental protection around the lake has increased in recent years," she said. "Everyone is taking action to protect our homeland."

Last year, the local government signed liability statements with 230 households and hotel operators around the lake, including Naka Drolma, prescribing their duties and zones of responsibility in an effort to mobilize the public to protect the lake.

Tourists row boats on Lugu Lake in Lijiang, Yunnan province. [Photo by Lin Yiguang/Xinhua]

"We want to have more people involved so that the protection work can be more effectively and extensively carried out," said Ruan Xuewu, deputy director of the administrative bureau of Lugu Lake.

Located at the junction of Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, Lugu Lake is the highest lake in Yunnan at about 2,700 meters above sea level and surrounded by forest-clad mountains. Known as a sparkling pearl embedded in the high country, it plays a key role in balancing the local environment.

"The water is crystal clear. You can always see its bottom. In the past, we drank water directly from the lake," Naka Drolma said.

She has witnessed major changes around the lake brought about by tourism. Fascinated by the lake's natural beauty, millions of tourists swarm into the area every year.