Presenter: Ms. Heshu Li
Co-author(s): Ms. Maixian Lang, Ms. Heshu Li, Ms. Xiaoyong Liu
Organisation: Development Research Center, Ministry of Water Resources, P.R.C
Sub-theme
6. Innovation for Water Governance and Management
Topic
6-4. Integrated river basin management
Body
Due to special geographical and climatic conditions, complex river and lake systems, and incompatibility between productive forces and population, resources, and environment, the management and protection of China's rivers and lakes are confronted with such prominent problems as water area shrinkage, water pollution and ecosystem degradation. Since the end of 2016, China has implemented the River and Lake Chief System in all rivers and lakes nationwide, and established three major systems, including the organization system, the institution system and the security system , with Party and government leaders serving as river and lake chiefs to promote the work of river and lake governance and protection. Over the past six years, more than 300,000 river and lake chiefs have taken up their posts and performed their duties, and the features of rivers and lakes have continued to improve. In 2021, the proportion of river and lake water quality sections reaching the standard of Class I to Ⅲ increased by 17.1% over 2016. People's sense of gain and happiness has been significantly improved. However, in the process of the implementation of the system, there are also some problems such as inadequate performance of some grass-roots river and lake chiefs, unbalanced promotion of various tasks of the system, insufficient information sharing and communication among departments, and low enthusiasm of the public to participate in it, which make it a challenge to further strengthen the system. This paper systematically analyzed the essential characteristics and core contents of the River and Lake Chief System. Taking the Xiaoanxi River of Chongqing as a typical case, based on the compiling and operation of the “Specialized Strategy for Each River” scheme of Xiaoanxi and results of river health evaluation, this paper thoroughly analyzed the achievements made by implementing the River and Lake Chief System, summarized the successful experiences, difficulties and problems in the process of promoting the system, and put forward corresponding suggestions for strengthening the system in the future.