The environment in the water catchment area around the Chinese capital of Beijing has substantially improved, thanks to the stepped-up protective efforts by the central and local governments.

The water catchment areas of Beijing's two major reservoirs, the Miyun and Guanting are mainly located in the areas of the Zhangjiakou and Chengde cities of Hebei Province, which has been severely affected by the reckless disposal of industrial and urban sewage as well as by over farming and excessive irrigation.

To guarantee water safety in the capital, the central government launched a program in 2001 to utilize water resources in a sustainable manner in the capital.

The program, which cost 3.98 billion yuan (US$481 million), covers 18 counties and districts in Zhangjiakou and Chengde, and its 160 projects range from urban and industrial sewage treatment to the prevention of soil erosion and the development of eco-agriculture.

Preliminary figures indicate that over the past two years, Zhangjiakou and Chengde have reduced sewage disposal by more than 8 million tons and boosted water storage by over 2 million cubic meters. Meanwhile, soil erosion has also been effectively curbed.

Protective measures include raising water prices, levying sewage treatment fees, reducing rice acreage to save water and cutting the number of goats to conserve vegetation.

Statistics from Chengde show that despite a reduction of 35 percent in rainfall last year, the water flow of the Chaohe River, a major river in the city, remained basically unchanged and its water quality continued to be good.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2003)