Photo taken April 25, 2019, shows the scenery at Guishui River in Yanqing District, Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Liu Guifu)
BEIJING, March 22, (Xinhua), — He Yufeng, 63 years old, is the “protector of the Guishui River” in the suburb Yanqing District. He has been cleaning up the garbage that has been clogging the river for over 20 years.
She stated that she had two goals. One was to be a torchbear at the Beijing Winter Olympics and the other was to preserve Yanqing’s environment, one of three competition zones for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
He Yufeng’s first dream came true on Feb. 3, the day prior to the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics. She was able to attend the Beijing 2022 Olympic Torch Relay at International Grape Exhibition Garden, near the Guishui River. She added, “It was an honor for me.”
He Yufeng printed the photos from her torch relay several days later and hung them on the wall. She also included pictures she took while cleaning the streets and riverbanks. “I did what I believed was right, but I didn’t expect to gain so many recognition.”
“I spotted a plastic bag floating on water not far from the riverbank when I was walking past it more than 20 years back. I tried to pick it with a branch, but the fish that was inside the bag was too fast to be freed. She said that the water was less clear than before.
He Yufeng has been regularly cleaning up the garbage near the river and reminding people who come to fish or camp to sort it, which contributes to the improvement in the water environment.
He Yufeng, the torch bearer, runs with the torch during Beijing 2022 Olympic Torch Relay at International Grape Exhibition Garden in Yanqing District, Beijing, capital of China, February 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)
Over 80 volunteers are currently working with her to protect Yanqing’s environment. Their protection work covers the streets, gardens, rivers, and streets of the district.
“Then Beijing became a dual Olympic city. He Yufeng said that he had witnessed the country’s growth and the improvement of its environment.
Hu Jialin said that Yanqing’s environmental improvement was boosted by the Paralympics Winter Olympics and Paralympics. “We have made great efforts in improving the water quality of a 12-km long watercourse, including the Guishui River.”
In general, the water environment in China’s capital has improved in recent years.
According to the Beijing Water Authority, the ecological restoration of Beijing’s lakes and rivers, along with water conservation efforts, has led to a significant increase in the city’s groundwater levels.
According to the authority, Beijing’s plain area had seen an increase in groundwater levels for six years consecutively by 2021. The area of China’s capital that is most overexploited has decreased by 82 per cent compared to 2015.
The restoration of water environments also has ecological benefits for the public. Pan Anjun, the chief of the authority, stated that the number of species of animals and plants has increased significantly over the years, enriching the biodiversity of water areas.
