Ministry orders to tackle pollution in wetland near Beijing

China's central environmental authority ordered local government to tackle pollution with Baiyangdian Wetland in north China's Hebei Province.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the provincial government of Hebei jointly "invited" officals of the municipal government of Baoding for a talk on this issue, the ministry announced in a statement on Sunday.

The Baoding government was ordered to practice its duty and strengthen management of construction projects around the wetland, which is north China's largest freshwater wetland about 150 km away from Beijing.

The wetland is known for scenic views and ecological functions. It is also an important site for migratory birds on the East Asian- Australian flyway.

Earlier reports revealed that some unauthorized development projects have polluted the environment and caused damages to the wetland's ecology.

During the talk, Zou Shoumin, the ministry's environmental inspection department chief, told the local officials to conduct a thorough check and strictly punish environmental violations in this area.

No industrial waste could be discharged into the wetland and domestic sewage runoff by nearby residents should also be properly handled, Zou said.

The official told the local government to clean up illegal aquaculture and tourism projects in the wetland.

All these measures should be put in place before the end of June, the official said.

Officials from Baoding government promised to implement the requirements of the ministry and the provincial government before the deadline, according to the ministry's statement. Endi