After decades of efforts aimed at reducing pollution and improving the environment, Chagan Lake in Jilin's Qianguo county has become an ecological protection model described as a green ecological shelter and must-see tourist attraction.

The freshwater lake ranks among China's top 10 and was named a provincial nature reserve in 1992. Thanks to the local government's soil and water treatment measures, Chagan Lake is renowned for its good ecological environment with varied wild animals and bird life.

The lake is home to more than 60 different types of fish, as well as various crustaceans and shrimp. It produces 3,000 metric tons of fresh fish annually, such as the bighead carp that has become an accredited "green food" by the national green food certification center.

Experts say that because the water in Chagan Lake is alkaline with a PH value of 8, it is impossible for bacteria to grow. As a result, the fish in Chagan Lake feast on nutritious microorganisms.

Winter fishing at Chagan Lake is popular with locals and visitors alike, with thousands of people drilling through the ice and fish bursting out of the water onto the lakes frozen surface.

As the core area of Jilin's western ecological economic zone, Chagan Lake plays an important role in regulating the climate and maintaining the ecological environment for the province. In addition to the efforts made at Chagan Lake, Qianguo county has also made efforts to launch environmental improvement projects, including controlling non-point source pollution and improving the reed ponds along the lake.

Non-point source pollution refers to water and air pollution from many different sources that have no obvious discharge point.

Qianguo county is benefiting by integrating the protection of ecology and developing ecotourism, according to local officials.

In the future, the county will accelerate construction on wetlands used for water drainage, sewage treatment plants and sewage pipe projects. It will also develop its catering, accommodation, travel, shopping and entertainment facilities along the lake, as well as plant 5.67 million trees.

In the next three years, Chagan Lake and its surrounding area of 4,866 hectares will see Chinese medicinal herbs, plums and aquatic plants planted. At the same time, there will be a reduction in the use of 13 tons of pesticide and 2,737 tons of chemical fertilizer.

Han Junhong contributed to this story.