The 17th Governing Council Meeting of the Asian River Restoration Network (ARRN) and the 19th International Seminar on River Restoration were successfully held in Yunyang District, Shiyan City of Hubei Province in central China, from Nov. 22 to 23.
Under the theme of “Protection of Lake and Reservoir Water Sources and Near-Natural Restoration of Watersheds,” the Seminar focused on rivers, lakes and reservoirs, which serve as vital carriers of freshwater resources and perform irreplaceable ecological and economic functions, according to IWHR Vice President Dr. Wang Xiaogang in his opening remarks. Strengthening the protection and management of river, lake and reservoir water sources is of great significance for flood control, water supply, ecological security, and promotion of sustainable socioeconomic development, stated Dr. Wang, and he expected that Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea could jointly explore the ecological concepts and technological methods for near-natural restoration of rivers and lakes, in a bid to better protect and restore the eco-environment of rivers in Asia and worldwide.
Six experts from China, Japan and Korea shared research methods and case studies on watershed restoration and management of their countries during the Seminar.
The ARRN Governing Council Meeting discussed the organization’s work in 2023 and arrangements, including activities, conferences and application of project outcomes, for 2024. Technical tours to the Danjiangkou Reservoir, the Zhonghua Water Park in the Yunyang District, and the renowned Three Gorges Project were organized after the Meeting.
