Eco-concern over Yangtze
10/3/2005 8:32
It is critical to control soil erosion and improve the ecosystem along the
Yangtze River, the country's longest waterway, said an adviser to the central
government yesterday.
"It's a long-term objective in China's modernization
drive to preserve the Yangtze ecosystem and curb pollution along its drainage,"
said Chen Zongxing, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference, China's top advisory body.
At least
660,000 square kilometers or 36.7 percent of the Yangtze River drainage area
suffers soil erosion, said Chen, also vice president of the Central Committee of
the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party.
"In 2003, an average of
30,000 tons of sewage was poured into the river every minute," Chen said, citing
the result of a survey his party conducted together with the CPPCC Committee of
Population, Resources and Environment last year.
Ecological deterioration has
endangered many aquatic animals, including Chinese sturgeons and white-flag
dolphins - the world's rarest dolphin - according to the survey.
Chen
proposed a national committee be established and dedicated to the preservation
of the Yangtze's ecology. He also wants a special law on ecological conservation
be formulated so that environmental protection departments have more power to
enforce the law.
"Local governments and businesses in the Yangtze Delta
should seek sustainable development, improve cost-effectiveness and minimize
pollution," he said, adding it's also important to step up technological
innovation and translate more research findings into ecological conservation
work. He also suggested the government increase investment in Yangtze River
ecological conservation.
Xinhua
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