29°49′N94°26′E / 29.817°N 94.433°E /29.817; 94.433
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Rijimu Co orRijimu Cuo (Chinese:日及木错,Tibetan:རི་ཆིམ་མཚོ།), is located in the easternQinghai-Tibet Plateau at an elevation of 4,200 meters. Rijimu Co is a high-altitude wetland lake spanning 18.7 km². Renowned for its ecological restoration efforts since 2018, the lake's rehabilitation project prioritized reversing decades of overgrazing and climate-induced degradation.[1][2]
Ecologically, Rijimu Cuo serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds, including the endangeredblack-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) andbar-headed goose (Anser indicus), with annual surveys recording over 5,000 individuals. Its waters support endemic fish species likeSchizopygopsis thermalis, adapted to hypoxic conditions. Recent studies highlight its role in carbon sequestration, with peatlands storing approximately 12.3 tons of carbon per hectare annually.[3]
The project integrated traditional Tibetan pastoral practices, such as rotational grazing zones co-designed with local herders, balancing ecological goals with socioeconomic needs.[4][5] By 2023, vegetation coverage increased from 35% to 72%, and the lake's surface area expanded by 9% due to improved water retention. Managed under China's "Ecological Redline" policy, Rijimu Cuo exemplifies alpine wetland conservation through hybrid engineering and community-driven stewardship.[6]
