Yue Hai Wetland (previously called West Lake) in Yinchuan was selected as the pilot area under the project of Capacity Building on Adaptation to Climate Change in the Field of Water Environment. From 29th June to 2nd July, the joint field survey was successfully conducted in Yue Hai, participated by experts from Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy, Renmin University of China, Australia-China Center on Water Resources Research at Melbourne University and a PCO officer. A field visit, stakeholder consultation meetings and questionnaire investigation were conducted as part of the survey.
The field survey aimed at collecting relevant data, getting to know the awareness of local government agencies on climate change, verifying the research scope in Yue Hai, identifying major pollutant source in Yue Hai, discussing potential risks of current management policy and practice in Yue Hai, raising local agencies’ awareness on climate change impact, and exploring capacity building needs in future.
The joint team first visited the Yue Hai wetland in the morning of 30th June, and then had a field excursion to Yinchuan First Sewage Treatment Plant and the flood discharge and buffer zone. In the afternoon, the team traveled to Wuling, where they inspected the water quality of Yellow River inlet to Yinchuan, and then moved forward along the Yellow River embankment where they investigated the irrigation return water buffer area and the non-point source pollution situation.
In the morning of 1st July, a consultation meeting was organized and held in Ningxia Environmental Protection Bureau. Participating organizations included Yinchuan Environmental Protection Bureau, Yinchuan Wetland Management Office, Yinchuan Development and Reform Commission, Yinchuan Bureau of Tourism, Yinchuan Bureau of Meteorology, Ningxia University, etc. Targeted questionnaires were conducted during the meeting to know the climate change awareness of the presenting officials and experts. In addition, discussions were held between the joint team and the local agencies on issues of wetland preservation work in Yinchuan, management system in Yue Hai and capacity building needs, water quality in Yue Hai and affecting factors identified, wetland management plan in Yinchuan, non-point source pollution situation in Yinchuan, etc. The public questionnaire survey was continued in the afternoon of 1st July and morning of 2nd July in Yue Hai Park and its surroundings, and downtown of Yinchuan.
Following completion of the field visit, the join team will start to consolidate and analyze the questionnaires conducted, collect further data required, and compile a case study report afterwards. The mission has helped to strengthen the joint team’s knowledge and interests of the area and the subject, and explore potential opportunities for further cooperation.
The case study report of the survey, including the questionnaires used by the joint Australian - Chinese expert team, will be available on the ACEDP portal in the near future.