Abstract: The current "segmented management" system in the Chaohu Basin, based on reductionism and bureaucratism, has led to a fragmented governance reality in ecological and environmental protection. Integrated protection adopts the holistic approach to basin ecology, supported by the theory of basin ecosystem management, national political decisions, and both domestic and international experiences in integrated basin protection. This approach is necessary for the ecological and environmental protection of the Chaohu Basin. From a legal practice perspective, there exsit challenges: legislative dilemmas due to structural imbalances and a dispersed system, enforcement difficulties stemming from fragmentation, and judicial issues dominated by cross-regional judicial models. Moving forward, adhering to the rule of law logic for integrated basin protection, it is essential to propose comprehensive legislation for the Chaohu Basin, enhance the comprehensive law enforcement mechanism for ecological and environmental protection, and refine the specialized judicial strategies within the basin. These steps are crucial to a robust legal system that supports the integrated protection of the Chaohu Basin.

Key words: Chaohu basin, integrated protection, rule of law strategy