(ECNS) -- A whistleblower will be rewarded 500 yuan ($73) for tipping off illegal use of fireworks and 5,000 yuan for reporting illegal gas stations and garbage disposal in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, according to measures issued by the city government.
The incentives were issued to encourage the public to help authorities control air pollution and strengthen supervision, reports local media.
Rewards will be given to citizens for reporting seven kinds of activities that can cause air pollution from dust, industry, vehicles, coal and garbage burning, and illegal use of fireworks.
Citizens can report air pollution by calling the hotline 12369, or sending messages to the public WeChat account 12369 Environmental Reporting. All reports should be made using real names and identification, while information will be kept confidential.
Whistleblowers can receive 500 to 5,000 yuan once their tip-offs are confirmed, but rewards will not be given repeatedly for the same case.
The highest bonus of 5,000 yuan will be given for disclosing information on heavily polluting enterprises that refuse to stop production or escape environmental supervision as well as illegal gas stations and illegal transport of construction debris.
A major transportation hub for Central China, Zhengzhou often suffers from serious air pollution.
