Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, January 02, 2002
Regulation In Force on Water Pollution Control in Three Gorges Area
China put into effect a new regulation on water pollution control in the Three Gorges area of the Chongqing Municipality as of Tuesday, where the world's largest water conservancy project is being carried out.
China put into effect a new regulation on water pollution control in the Three Gorges area of the Chongqing Municipality as of Tuesday, where the world's largest water conservancy project is being carried out.
The gorges are on the upper reaches of the country's longest river, the Yangtze River.
The aim of the regulation, enacted by local legislature of the Chongqing municipality, is to curb water pollution and protect the environment by means of strict penalties and stiff fines.
According to the regulation, the maximum fine for those responsible for water pollution in the area is one million yuan ( about 120,000 US dollars).
Officials said the issuing of the new regulation is of great importance. It is expected to help control garbage, sewage, and industrial and sanitary waste, the major sources of water pollution in the area.
The regulation will also help the local authorities to handle environment protection and water pollution issues.
The city has started the construction of 19 sewage and garbage treatment plants. In the next five years, China will invest a total of 21.3 billion yuan in controlling pollution and protecting water resources in the area.
Chongqing is the largest city around the 1,000-sq-km Three Gorges Reservoir site. The reservoir project is expected to begin operation in 2003.