Lake Dianchi Freshwater Biodiversity Restoration Project

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, Restoration of riparian vegetation, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Remediation activities of sites with very poor environmental quality, Restoration of wetlands (other types than peatlands and mangroves, e.g. seagrass), Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems), Protection of natural ecosystems, Protecton and enhancement of wetlands (other types than peatlands and mangroves, e.g. seagrass), Habitat restoration, Habitat conservation, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Indigenous and community-based conservation initiatives, Educational and awareness raising programs, Scientific research of biodiversity or ecosystems, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities, Introduction of NBS governance practices involving marginalised groups, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Clearing out invasive alien species and allow natural regeneration maintaining the functionality the ecosystem, Habitat mapping, restoration and monitoring-focused management, Citizen science and monitoring initiatives (e.g. species observations, habitat assessments, and data collection efforts), Species-specific monitoring and conservation programs

To conserve, maintain, and enhance the globally important biodiversity of Lake Dianchi. To restore, conserve, and manage habitats for a community of internationally significant, threatened, and range-restricted species around the lake, securing the conservation of endemic species in Lake Dianchi and its immediate tributaries through extensive surveys, monitoring to establish a baseline for species conservation, and removal of invasive species. To reintroduce indigenous bivalves to improve water filtration. To innovate by using biological indicator species for pollution bioremediation and monitoring. To raise awareness at local, national, and global levels about the threats, challenges, and opportunities related to Lake Dianchi and freshwater biodiversity more broadly. To build capacity for long-term conservation efforts by engaging local communities (minorities, religious groups) in sustainable biodiversity management (Refs 1, 5).

A startup period was defined to establish the modus operandi and enable swift project initiation, given the agency's inexperience with World Bank projects. A Project Steering Committee and a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) were established (Ref 1). Component 1: Wetland Management and Restoration - Remodeled 24,000 square meters of lakeshore, creating gentle slopes for fish habitats. - Replanted 15 hectares of aquatic plants, using successful pilot studies. - Reintroduced indigenous bivalves to improve water filtration. - Component 2: Surveys, Monitoring, and Species Conservation - Conducted extensive surveys, identifying critical habitats and 11 endemic fish species. - Created a centralized database to monitor species distribution, incorporating existing data. - Recommended habitat protection measures, including local ordinances and potential ex-situ conservation. Component 3: Capacity Building and Training - Held training workshops for 160 participants from local government and conservation organizations. - Organized national and international study tours for 25 wetland site managers. Component 4: Public Awareness and Education - Hired a marketing company to develop a public awareness strategy, creating educational materials and mobile exhibitions. - Established a Public Awareness Center at Yunnan Minorities Peoples' Village. - Collaborated with the Buddhist Association to protect critical habitats near temples and organise public events and remove alien species (Ref 1, 4)

• National-level government
• Local government/Municipality
• Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
• Private sector/Corporate/Company
• Researchers/University
• Citizens or community groups
• Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
• Coastal-dependent communities (e.g. small-scale fishers, coastal farmers, and indigenous peoples)
• Young people and children
• Marginalized groups: Other