The head of Shanghai's Environmental Protection Bureau called on local residents yesterday to join the fight against pollution while also reminding the public about the potential financial rewards of reporting suspected environmental rule-breakers.
"We will continue to strengthen law enforcement against environmental polluters this year (but) tip-offs from the public have always been valued," explained Zhang Quan, during a talk on local radio.
Zhang said several local residents have already been awarded up to 5,000 yuan (US$508) for tip-offs.
Citizens can dial Shanghai's environmental protection hotline 12369 or the Shanghai citizen's hotline 12345 to report factories that discharge black smoke or foul sewage. If such discharges violate environmental protection laws, tipsters can receive 2 percent of the total fine placed on the violator.
Over 20 enterprises involved in serious illegal discharges last year were fined a total of 100 million yuan, said Zhang.
Zhang's bureau compiles a list every year of heavily polluting factories and enterprises. These enterprises are usually located outside of appointed industrial areas, according to reports.
"We urge polluting companies to upgrade their environmental protection capabilities. Those which fail to meet requirements will be ordered to shut down so that we can gradually eliminate ... those that consume a great deal of coal and harm the environment," he explained.
According to an earlier report from the bureau, over 2,100 factories and businesses have been ordered to make environmental protection upgrades over the past three years.
