Opportunity knocks

Yuexi county, Anhui province, is also located in the Dabie Mountains. Like Xinxian, it has a forest coverage rate of more than 76 percent and is a national exemplary county for the promotion of environmental progress.

Many locals are exploiting business opportunities presented by the excellent environment, although the local government was unable to say how many, as it has not yet collated the figures.

In addition to locals, people come from far away to tap the county's potential. For example, Liu Rui, who runs a sturgeon farm in Huadun village, hails from Shenyang, Liaoning province, more than 1,600 kilometers away.

"Sturgeon need clean water. I spent more than a year looking for somewhere like Huadun, which boasts a high-quality aquatic environment," the 37-year-old said.

According to the Yuexi government, water flowing out of the county via rivers and streams is always above Grade II, the second-highest level in China's five-tier water quality system.

The fish enjoy the flowing spring water on Liu's farm, which was established in 2007. Fresh spring water constantly flows into and out of the fishponds, which results in a low death rate and less disease, and guarantees the quality of the fish, which sell for about 30 yuan per kg, he said.

Though the farm produces more than 50 metric tons of sturgeon per year, the supply is never adequate. "The demand for our fish goes far beyond supply, so wholesalers have to make reservations very early to ensure they can get our sturgeon," Liu said.