Summer is a vibrant season at Qinghai Lake, the largest inland saltwater lake in the Chinese mainland. Birds nurture their young, herders guide their yaks to alpine pastures, and an army of naked carp—unique to the lake—begin their annual migration.
Every year from May to August, mature naked carp embark on a remarkable journey. Although they spend most of their lives in the saline and alkaline waters of Qinghai Lake, these conditions impede their gonad development. To spawn, they swim up the freshwaters of the Buha and Shaliu Rivers that feed into the lake. This migration is one of Qinghai Lake’s natural wonders.
The naked carp holds a special place in the hearts of local residents. During the food shortages of the 1950s and 1960s, these fish were a lifeline for many, earning them the moniker “gift of the divine lake.” However, overfishing and habitat loss led to a dramatic decline in their population, plummeting to less than 1 percent of its historical peak by the early 21st century.
In response, local authorities implemented strict fishing bans and cracked down on illegal fishing and trading. Efforts in artificial breeding and ecological restoration of the lake further supported the species’ recovery. As of 2023, the naked carp population rebounded to approximately 120,300 tons—44 times that of 2002—and their conservation status improved from “endangered” to “vulnerable.”
The revival of the naked carp is a testament to China’s successful conservation initiatives. Populations of other rare species such as giant pandas, crested ibises, and golden snub-nosed monkeys have also grown due to the development of nature reserves across the country.
China boasts some of the richest biodiversity on Earth, encompassing nearly all ecosystem types. Since the establishment of natural protected areas in 1949, the nation has strengthened the protection of endangered species and expanded international cooperation. Ecological civilization was integrated into China’s development plan in 2012, emphasizing harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
“The Book of Changes (I Ching) says, ‘We should learn about the changes of the season by studying natural phenomena and foster social development by studying human phenomena. Wealth arises from following the way of heaven and earth and assisting the natural order,'” President Xi Jinping said at the National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection on May 18, 2018.
By June 2024, China had restored over 100 million mu (about 6.7 million hectares) of ecosystems, including mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, grasslands, and deserts, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Protected areas now cover 18 percent of the land and 4.1 percent of maritime areas, securing 90 percent of terrestrial ecosystem types and 85 percent of key wildlife populations. The “China Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030)” outlines priority areas and actions to further these efforts.
China has actively participated in global environmental governance and biodiversity conservation cooperation, promoting the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. This underscores the interdependence of nations and the shared challenges they face in preserving the planet’s ecosystems.
The resurgence of the naked carp in Qinghai Lake symbolizes the tangible outcomes of dedicated conservation efforts. As China continues to prioritize ecological restoration, its nature reserve network stands as a vital asset in safeguarding biodiversity for future generations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
