A mix of strong environmental protection efforts over the past two years has helped Changchun reduced water pollution in the Yitong River.

"I grew up by the Yitong River and it preserves local people's memories of the past," said Liu Yunzeng, a retired worker in Changchun.

Dubbed "the Mother River of Changchun", the Yitong River runs through the capital city of Northeast China's Jilin province in a south-to-north direction.

A bird's-eye view of the Yitong River in Changchun, capital city of Jilin province [Photo/Xinhua]

The ecological environment along the river has been significantly improved, thanks to scientific planning and efforts on pollution control.

The restoration of the Xinlicheng Reservoir was put atop the agenda, since the Yitong River is the most important source of water for industrial and agricultural use in Changchun and plays a key role in balancing the city's environment.

About 560 hectares of aquatic plants and 190 hectares of shrubs and trees have been planted to absorb the excessive content of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can lead to eutrophication in the water.

The Nanxi Wetland on the upper reaches of the river was once a disgusting place.

It has become a paradise for all kinds of migratory birds with the help of ecological methods combining aquatic planting with aquatic animal breeding.

In addition, the Changchun government has planned 29 storage pools along the River. They can filter and reduce pollutants and keep the water fresh.

"Good ecological environment is a universal well-being of the people, and our goal is to enable Changchun residents to live in an ecologically friendly environment," said a local official.

There are now more than 2.79 million square meters of newly-built greenery and 13 bridges crossing the river in downtown Changchun.

The city has also invested 28 billion yuan ($4.18 billion) to renovate the shanty towns along its banks.