Senior citizens in Guizhou working as environmental volunteers.

Though he is 74 years old, Jia Zushun volunteers in environmental protection at Aha Reservoir where he has lived for his entire life.

"It is my responsibility to help keep the water clean," he said .

Since retirement, Jia has taken the initiative by arriving at the reservoir at 9 am every day and returning home at 7 pm or later.

"My daily work includes security, environmental publicity and garbage disposal," he said.

In 2006, Jia himself spent 780,000 ($127,868) to build a bamboo house, a dock and parking spots.

Covering 190 square kilometers, Aha reservoir is one of Guiyang's major water sources and a popular tourism resort in the city. Some 80,000 residents live around the reservoir, according to an official report.

"The most difficult thing for me is to deal with tourists who don't want to take part in environmental protection," said Jia.

He said the reservoir receives more than 3,000 visitors a day during peak season. Such intensive human activity creates water pollution.

"But the situation improved when the local government began to promote construction of an ecological civilization in 2009," he said.

The number of local volunteers has increased to 40, thanks to government encouragement.

"Now the garbage is basically gone, "he said.

"And also, I'm very happy to see more and more young people join our volunteer work. My children and grandchildren usually help me on weekends," he added.

"As local residents, we are obligated to protect the natural environment.

"It is also very meaningful to call on others to participate for future generations."

zhaokai@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/19/2013 page24)