Aerial photo taken on September 6, 2023 shows the landscape of Dolan River National Wetland Park in Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Cai Zengle) news: On September 6, 2023, the reporting team of "Discover Xinjiang through Its Rivers and Lakes" visited the Aksu Dolan River National Wetland Park for on-site interviews, witnessing the ecological pictures of the rivers and lakes with clear water and continuous flow. Aksu Dolan River National Wetland Park is the first national wetland park in southern Xinjiang. In the past, the sand content in the Dolan River was relatively high due to the melting snow of the Tianshan Mountains and natural precipitation. And there used to be sandpits on both sides of the riverbank, with piles of garbage and flowing sewage, which made the environment poor.

Photo shows the landscape of Dolan River National Wetland Park in Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

In order to improve the environment here, the local government has successively started the construction of the first and second phases of the wetland park. Through comprehensive restoration measures such as water network connectivity, water system dredging, sewage interception, and water ecological restoration, continuous efforts have been made to “increase greenery” of the wetland park. Proceed from the reality, the original natural form is fully utilized, and the original water bodies are uniformly restored. The water area of the wetland park, which covers an area of 5,700 mu, has increased from 40% to 60%, forming a total of 22 lakes of various sizes.

Photo taken on September 6, 2023 shows reporters enjoy the view from the observation deck of Dolan River National Wetland Park in Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on September 6, 2023 shows locals enjoy themselves in Dolan River National Wetland Park in Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

After the ecosystem is restored, the river water passes through a series of ecological pools, heavy metal treatment pools, and eutrophic purification pools transformed from lakes of different sizes. Through layers of filtration and degradation, the original yellow muddy water eventually becomes clear water. The flowing water that runs through the city forms a unique landscape and greatly improves the urban and living environment.

Photo taken on September 6, 2023 shows an egret stretches its wings in Dolan River National Wetland Park in Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on September 6, 2023 shows waterbirds roost in Dolan River National Wetland Park in Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo shows the landscape of Dolan River National Wetland Park in Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

According to monitoring data, the wetland park now has more than 10 plant species under national second-class protection, such as willows and liquorice, and is inhabited by 7 animal species under national first-class protection, such as black storks and Xinjiang bighead fish, as well as more than 20 animal species under national second-class protection, such as egrets and herons. There are over 140 species of various green plants and over a hundred species of wildlife.

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