Project Overview
Dongting Lake, the second-largest freshwater lake in China, is crucial for regulating and storing water from the Yangtze River. It provides essential ecosystem services, including biodiversity habitats, potable water, and climate regulation. However, human activities have led to significant degradation of these wetlands, necessitating urgent restoration efforts.
The Hunan South Dongting Lake Wetland Ecological Restoration and Sustainable Development Project is designed to enhance the lake's ecosystem, thereby supporting local economies and biodiversity. The project will serve as a model for similar initiatives across other RFI sites.
Key Objectives and Strategies
The project aims to deliver substantial regional and global public goods, such as biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation. It will employ nature-based solutions to restore the lake's ecosystem, including the development of shallow marshes and the construction of small islands to provide habitats for migratory waterbirds.
An eco-compensation mechanism will be established to encourage eco-friendly farming and aquaculture practices among local farmers. This mechanism will be sustained through income-generating activities like eco-tourism and commercial reed harvesting.
Funding and Partnerships
The total project cost is estimated at $308 million, with $93 million in counterpart financing from the Chinese government. The Agence Française de Développement will contribute an additional $65 million in co-financing, administered by ADB. Notably, $107 million of ADB's financing is earmarked for climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Impact and Future Prospects
Upon completion in 2031, the project is expected to benefit approximately 722,600 residents by enhancing climate resilience and socioeconomic conditions. It will also create skilled jobs for women during its construction and operational phases.
Dongting Lake's restoration is a critical step towards ensuring ecological security in the Yangtze River Basin. The project's success could pave the way for similar ecological restoration efforts in other significant wetlands across Asia and the Pacific.
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