Abstract: Compiling and implementing water resources protection plan is a legal obligation entrusted by the state to the water administration department, and is also a pivotal endeavor in fulfilling the responsibilities of water resources management and ecological preservation. The evolution of water resources protection planning in the Yangtze River Basin, encompassing inception, exploration, practice, and system refinement, has propelled the scientific and systematic advancement of water resources preservation and management within the basin. Against the backdrop of national institutional reforms and the enactment of the Yangtze River Protection Law, this study systematically examines the developmental trajectory and efficacy of water resources protection planning in the Yangtze River basin. It scrutinizes the current challenges and nuances confronting basin-wide water resources preservation while delineating the strategic direction and principles for future endeavors. Drawing from these insights, the paper proposes actionable recommendations and strategic measures for enhancing the planning and management of river basin water resources in the new era. The research findings hold paramount importance in consolidating consensus on basin water resources protection planning, instituting a robust planning framework for the new era, fostering the high-quality development of water resources protection, and advancing the modernization of river governance.

Key words: water resources conservation planning, water resources conservation management, Yangtze River Protection Law, Yangtze River Basin, planning idea