A fishing ban on Dianchi Lake, a well-known plateau lake in southwest China's Yunnan Province, took effect as of Tuesday in a renewed effort to prevent and control over-fishing and water pollution.

As a matter of fact, the ban has been imposed on the lake for years, as it is a major source of water for industrial and agricultural use in Kunming, capital of Yunnan.

All trawlers and fishing boats are banned to catch aquatics, waterweeds and water fleas in the entire lake during the 10-month fishing ban period. Meanwhile, ducks and geese are prohibited to be raised in the lake. Violators of the rule will be fined.

The ban will affect about 1,600 fishing boats on the lake.

Dianchi Lake, 40 km long and eight km wide, has a water storage of some 1.5 billion cubic meters. It plays a crucial role in balancing the environment of Kunming city.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2004)