North China’s Shanxi province started five projects on Oct 8, including a water supply and sewage control project , marking the official beginning of ecological remediation of the Fenhe River.

The?project plans to restore the Fenhe?River’s condition in 15 years. Fenhe River is the second largest branch of the Yellow River, which runs through six cities in the province and is recognized the “Mother River” of Shanxi.

The province has taken four large-sized development and control actions since the 1950s, which did not stop the decline of the river environment.

In order to solve this problem, the province mapped out a plan to remedy the river basin’s ecology in July. The province proposed six major measures, including water-saving and storage works on the Fenhe River and nine of its branches.

The province?will invest 130 billion yuan ($20.48 billion) in the project. A total of 42 projects were already approved, with 30 ones already under construction and the rest to start this month.

A bridge?crosses the?Fenhe River in Shanxi. [Photo/Xinhua]