HOHHOT, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's fourth largest freshwater lake in the northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has seen its water area further expand, its wetland ecology recover and biodiversity improve thanks to beefed-up conservation efforts over the years.
The water area of the Hulun Lake, also known as the "kidney of the grassland," expanded by 186.9 square km to 2,237.5 square km in 2021, said the Hulun Lake National Nature Reserve Administration in the city of Hulun Buir.
The wetland ecology of the once-dwindling lake has gradually recovered and the biodiversity of the area has continued to improve, according to the administration.
So far, 345 species of birds, 39 species of fish and 38 species of other animals have been recorded in the area.
Since 2016, Hulun Buir has been harnessing the desertified land and degraded grassland around the lake. The reserve has enforced grazing bans in the core grassland area.
The Hulun Lake, which is on Hulun Buir Grassland, was included on the list of internationally important wetlands in 2002. ■
