An aerial view of Tonglu county in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Tonglu county in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, has been pursuing a model of green development for nearly 20 years, which has brought prosperity to its residents.

"Baiyun used to be an underdeveloped village in which no factory was willing to invest," said Lin Xuebiao, chief of Baiyun village in Tonglu, "but that is no longer the case due to the beautiful ecological environment in the village, which has helped improve the incomes of local residents."

Lin said that strong efforts have been made to improve the village's natural environment, such as implementing a river management system in which a different individual is personally responsible for the health of each river in the village.

Heling village, located not far from Baiyun, is also an example of how local residents have turned clean waters and lush mountains into sources of wealth.

Tonglu county in Hangzhou [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Led by Shao Xiaolong, chief of Heling, local residents have made consistent efforts to improve the rural environment and called on villagers who moved away for work to come back and start businesses.

"I made a meager income even though I worked very hard when I was an employee at a leather factory," said Mao Xuezhen, a local villager, "but now, by operating a homestay in the village, I can make more than 200,000 yuan ($28,920) a year."

Heling currently has 45 homestays with over 700 beds. With the improvement of its natural environment, the village is becoming a popular tourist destination.

Environmental awareness among villagers is increasing as they witness the positive changes it brings.

"I love walking along the rivers, and I always remind tourists to properly dispose of their garbage while they're here," said Fang Zuchun, a resident in Luci village.

Many villagers have voluntarily joined in the efforts to preserve the environment here, said Fang.