Li Peiguang sails toward the rising sun. [Photo/Xinhua]

For more than 30 years, local residents have worked hard to restore the ecological balance of Dianchi Lake in Yunnan.

At 5 am, on the south bank of Dianchi Lake, with the sky still dark, sexagenarian fisherman, Zhang Kaidi, grabs a quick bite in the kitchen before hurrying to the wharf with his brother-in-law, Li Peiguang, in tow.

After a full day's toil, when the night begins to cloak the lake in darkness, the fully-laden fishing boats slowly make their way back to dock. After selling the day's catch to the cooperatives in the village, Zhang hurries home with a small bag of shrimp which will be the main course for the dinner he'll share with his wife.