The lake, covering 366 square kilometers, is the habitat of 47 kinds of water plants, 54 kinds of fishes, 192 kinds of birds and 14 wild mammal species, according to experts with the provincial forestry authority.

At least three kinds of birds and five species of mammal are protected by the state.

Persistent draught, pollution and silting over the years have led to reduced lake area and damaged to its ecological system.

Hebei authorities have allocated 7 billion yuan (845 million USdollars) over the next 10 years for 26 projects aimed at restoringand protecting the ecological system on the lake.

Measures mulled include improving the distribution of water resources in the upper and lower reaches, building more urban sewage treatment plants and reducing pollution from the use of fertilizer.

(People's Daily December 4, 2002)