Mountain lakes, an important mountain resource in China, are increasingly faced with degradation through pollution, eutrophication, and sedimentation. This article reviews the environmental situation of Qionghai Lake in Sichuan Province, China, and presents an analysis of the causes of its degradation. Regulations have been adopted for ecological restoration of Qionghai Lake, and a management bureau has been established. Although some positive results have been achieved, institutional and technical weaknesses and gaps remain. Degradation of mountain lakes is closely linked to degradation of their watersheds. Management of a mountain lake may extend beyond the body of water to overall improvement of its watershed, including livelihood improvement and development for all stakeholders along the lake or in upstream mountain areas. Environmental protection programmes need to be integrated within development programmes and involve active collaboration among various government agencies. Participatory planning and implementation of programmes to restore degraded mountain lakes are also desirable. A multidimensional approach may help provide an in-depth, comprehensive understanding of the environmental problems of mountain lakes.
