CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Recently, the writer came to Tongluoshan Mine Park and was deeply attracted by the beautiful scenery here: Standing from a high place overlooking the mine, the cliffs of the mine were towering, and the pits under the cliff were like “pearls” inlaid in them. The clear water was quiet and crystal clear, as if the paradise on the earth... All this stems were from the active practice of the “two mountains” theory in Yubei District, the ecological restoration of mines and the construction of mine parks. Nowadays, with the official opening of Tongluoshan Mine Park, it has not only reaped the “appearance”, but also benefits.

Pit No.7 (Picture provided by Cyberspace Administration of Yubei District Commission)

The Tongluoshan Mining Area in Yubei is concentrated in Shichuan Town and Yufengshan Town. Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, people began to mine limestone in the mining area, and it reached its peak in the 1990s. There were as many as hundreds of mining enterprises, which became the main crushed stone supply base in the central city. Over the years, mining has destroyed mountains and vegetation, and caused serious soil erosion. It can be described as riddled with holes, and the ecological damage caused is very serious.

In order to protect the ecology of the jurisdiction, Yubei District shut down all mining enterprises within the Tongluoshan Area and initiated the Tongluoshan Mine Ecological Restoration Project. In the restoration process, Yubei District has adopted engineering measures such as land disaster management, reclamation and green restoration in accordance with the principle of “eliminating hidden safety hazards, restoring the ecological environment, and comprehensive utilization of land”. So far, 107 hectares of ecological restoration in 10 mines have been completed, and 15 mines under restoration are expected to be completed before September this year. Through ecological restoration, the ecological background will be restored in the mining area, abandoned mines will be turned waste into treasure, and the ecological environment will be further improved.

The Tongluoshan Mine Park has a total planned area of 25.18 square kilometers, of which the core area is 7 square kilometers. There are 41 limestone pits of various sizes. They are in funnel-shaped and shaft-shaped forms. Among them, there are 12 water storage pits. The pond lake is formed, and there are many landscapes such as “colorful pools” and “heart-shaped pools”. The color of the water will change with the time, direction and temperature of the sunshine. The water body is clear and colorful, and it is known as “Chongqing Little Jiuzhai”. The construction of the park adheres to the organic combination of ecological restoration of the mine and the construction of the park, perfects the overall plan of the mine park, and follows the idea of “planning first, partial promotion, and investment promotion” to make the restored mine a demonstration point for the realization of the value of ecological products and the revitalization of surrounding villages. The golden mountains and silver mountains where the people get rich.

Thanks to the ecological restoration of the mine and the construction of the mine park, the surrounding ecological environment has been effectively restored and the villagers’ income has also increased. Since the pilot operation of mine Park in February this year, more than 400 people from surrounding villagers have been employed and started their own businesses, with an average income of about 20,000 yuan, and a total of 400,000 tourists. It has become a new “celebrity” place. At the same time, promote the transformation of ecological value into farmers’ income through various methods such as state-owned companies purchasing and storing farm houses to build residential areas, transferring land, etc. to obtain rent, providing agricultural product trading centers to sell agricultural and sideline products, opening farmhouses, and participating in construction by collective economic organizations.

“We have launched special services such as small trains and sightseeing cars, and simultaneously launched mining cultural and creative products. It is estimated that 800,000 tourists will be received throughout the year, driving the surrounding tourism comprehensive income of about 20 million yuan, and allowing surrounding towns and ordinary people to do business around the mine park, provide supporting facilities and services to drive the economic and social development of the surrounding areas, and promote ecological industrialization and industrial ecologicallization,” the relevant staff of the mine park said. (Translated by Luo Juan, Fathom Language Limited)