Lishui in Zhejiang province has a superb natural environment. [Photo/WeChat account: wxlishui]

As people become ever more aware of just how invaluable their green mountains and lucid waters are, an indicator called the gross ecosystem product – or GEP – has grown to be considered a key gauge of the value of nature's contributions to economic activity in Lishui city, located in East China's Zhejiang province.　

Dajun, administered by Lishui, was the first town in China to release a GEP accounting report. After it was launched, an industry based on the abundant natural water resources in Dajun sprang up, which is projected to generate profits of 12 million yuan ($1.85 million) for Lishui this year.

The water quality of Dajun has been maintained at the Class I level for years and its pristine quality has allowed to use it for recreation and healthy pursuits. "The village owns rich water flows, making it a natural water rescue and training site," said Wang Weixiao, secretary of the Party committee of Dajun village.

Familiarizing kids with the fun of outdoors lakes and streams and providing swimming, different water sports and other activities were successively introduced in the village.

The advantage of the GEP accounting report is to give people a window into learning  the value of the ecology and environment, as well as to translate them into economic and social dividends in a reasonable and orderly way, according to Wang.

The excellent example of the use of water resources in Dajun has also reportedly provided practical guidance for tapping the social and commercial value of the environment in other mountain areas in Lishui in a benign way.

At the end of 2020, all the towns in Lishui had established a body responsible for environmental protection and restoration, as well as natural resource management and development.

Lishui has also launched innovative green financial products – including GEP loans and ecological loans – to remove financing bottlenecks impeding rural revitalization.