新华全媒头条|谱写向“绿”向“新”的协奏曲——黄河上游生态保护和高质量发展的甘肃实践

Core Viewpoint - Gansu Province is actively implementing ecological protection and high-quality development strategies in the Yellow River basin, focusing on water conservation, pollution prevention, and sustainable development to ensure clean water flows downstream [1][3][13]. Group 1: Ecological Protection Efforts - Gansu is responsible for significant ecological restoration and water conservation in the Yellow River basin, with a commitment to addressing water and soil loss, pollution, and ecological degradation [1][8]. - The province has invested over 5 billion yuan in integrated protection and restoration projects in the Gannan Yellow River upstream water conservation area since 2021, achieving a vegetation coverage of 98.4% in the region [5][6]. - The outflow of the Yellow River at Maqu County has increased to 17.3 billion cubic meters, a nearly 50% improvement compared to a decade ago [6]. Group 2: Water and Soil Conservation - Water and soil loss is a critical issue in the Gansu section of the Yellow River, with 47,100 square kilometers affected as of 2019 [8][11]. - Gansu has developed unique models for soil erosion control, focusing on preventing soil loss and improving ecological conditions through various land management practices [8][11]. - The "Green Full of Longzhong" initiative has been implemented in Dingxi City since 2020, successfully retaining over 37 million tons of sediment annually [9]. Group 3: Pollution Control Measures - Gansu has undertaken comprehensive pollution control measures, including shutting down wells, upgrading wastewater treatment facilities, and implementing rainwater and sewage separation projects [13]. - The chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration from wastewater treatment plants has been reduced from 50 mg/L to 30 mg/L following upgrades [13]. - By 2024, the proportion of water quality rated as good in the Yellow River basin is expected to reach 97.56%, an increase of 4.88 percentage points year-on-year [13]. Group 4: Sustainable Development and Innovation - Gansu is pursuing a green development path by implementing water-saving reforms and promoting circular economy practices, with a focus on sustainable agricultural and industrial practices [15][16]. - The province's water usage per unit of GDP and industrial output has decreased, with figures of 41.8 cubic meters and 15.8 cubic meters respectively for 2024, showing a reduction compared to previous years [15]. - Gansu is leveraging its resource advantages to promote strategic emerging industries, with the share of these industries in the province increasing from 12.4% in 2019 to 16.2% currently [16]. Group 5: Cultural and Tourism Development - The Yellow River basin is not only a natural resource but also a cultural heritage site, with efforts to promote and preserve the cultural significance of the region [18]. - In 2024, the nine cities and states in the Gansu Yellow River basin are expected to receive 320 million tourists, generating 230 billion yuan in tourism revenue, reflecting a growth of 14.3% and 24.7% respectively [19]. - The revitalization of the region has led to increased entrepreneurial opportunities, as seen in the rise of local businesses catering to tourism [19].