NGO founder finds way to clear the air
Zhao Liang's volunteers gather evidence for oversight of polluters, engage in dialogue. Hou Liqiang reports.
Led by ministerial-level officials, the inspection team reports to a central group headed by a vice-premier of the State Council, China's Cabinet.
Zhao said his NGO has played a role in the rectification of 600 to 800 major environmental violations.
Airman has also seen the number of its volunteers expand to over 500 as it strives to address air pollution-related violations in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Fenhe-Weihe Plain area that stretches across Shanxi, Shaanxi and Henan provinces. Both are key regions for air pollution control.
In 2019 in Hancheng, Shaanxi, frequent explosions at a quarry caused noise pollution and sent heavy clouds of dust into the air. The dust level was so severe it significantly affected the growth of vast stretches of white mulberry trees, causing farmers heavy economic losses, Zhao recalled.
Airman invited media to join its inspection of the location. After the violation was exposed by the invited media, the quarry was shut down and local authorities also took measures to rehabilitate the damaged agricultural areas, Zhao said.
After the actions, farmers saw an increase in their incomes as the output from the mulberry trees rose, he added.
"A farmer who ran a horse-breeding farm called me after the shutdown. He said the things we did were of great significance and had helped them solve a big problem, and he wanted to join Airman as a volunteer," he said.
