Pollution in Zhejiang province (Essay Sample)

Pollution in Zhejiang province Overview Zhejiang is one of the most developed regions in China. Out of the other rivers in China, the dead-halt river ‘Qiantang River' is the valuable asset of this city as well. Besides the city's urbanization, it also is vulnerable to a significant amount of pollution. There are two industrial sectors working side by side along this river: textile plants and supply chain process (shifting for goods across the world). Both the industrial sectors are considerably one of the leading causes of pollution in Zhejiang (Wilson Center, 2011; Zhou, 2015; Globaltimes.cn, 2016). A Greenpeace report (cited in English.zj.gov.cn, 2016) was published that focused on the two most important industrial organizations: Hangzhou and Shaoxing. These two organizations, according to this report, are majorly found to dump toxic substances into the Qiantang River. Besides, Shaoxing is a textile industry and constitutes approximately fifty-nine percent of the overall industrial output (the regional production) (Wei, 2013). About seventeen-billion of the cloth was dyed as well as printed in this region. Earlier in this area, there were numerous amount of small textile operational-units. This only lasted until Binhao Industrial Zone was established. Due to the establishment of this new organization; each and all smaller textiles units started incorporating into this newly born firm (Zhou, 2015). Risk-Factors Due to Pollution The risk-factors regarding the pollution in China started once after the establishment of Binhao industrial zone, but it reached to the extreme as more organizations established in Zhejiang (Wilson Center, 2011). After one-year in 2003 Xiaoshan – in Linjiang industrial zone – opened, comprising 160-square kilometer of area. This area is enough to provide sufficient space to dye and paint bulk amount of clothes; furthermore, the machining and production of different parts of the car, building material and so forth other by-products (Wei, 2013). Risking Local Lives A survey was held by the end of 2003; it was shockingly noticed that all the chimneys of the industries were running 24-hours a day throughout the week (Wilson Center, 2011). These chimneys were, furthermore, found to diffuse toxic chemicals into the air. Thereby, spreading the air-pollution at its peak as the acids' odor, according to the survey, could be felt in and around the operational area. Nearer to this polluted region, the harvesting of vegetables was made done in a bulk quantity as well as the packaging and transportation to the primary markets (Zhou, 2015). The more alarming situation came up when the villagers’ homes were revealed not more than 0.5 kilometers away from the operational plant; moreover, the rivers and streams had turned black by then. Hence, causing significant harm to the local life (Wei, 2013). Zhou (2015) stated that emission of chemicals, harmful substances, waste-items and different perilous waste that influences the marine and also the adjacent villagers' life ought to be ceased instantly. The treatment plant ought to be made obligatory to every material or different ventures practically operation adjacent the streams or neighborhoods. The appraisal ought to be affixed and controlled with the assistance of experts keeping in mind the end goal to support the sound environment (Zhou, 2015). Dumping of Waste-Water Without Any Treatment According to Wei (2013), this is undoubtedly true that water is an essential requirement as far as dyeing of cloths is concerned. The dying process in any textile industry goes through several steps; each step requires an intensive amount of water. In recent research Wei (2013) affirmed that at higher temperatures, cotton caon absorb only eighty-five percent of the dye; whereas, the remaining percentage go wasted. On the contrary, if the temperatures are lower, the cotton absorption is decreased to seventy-percent, and about thirty percent of the amount becomes useless and is wasted (Wei, 2013). Despite the mechanical segment, the constructional tasks ought to likewise be observed and surveyed similarly in light of the fact that they, as well, are in charge of the water contamination and natural issues. The principles and direction are also neglected by these constructional divisions who mostly dump waste-water (solidified and synthetically intermixed into the River and Lakes) bringing about the high danger of issues in marine life prompting passing. The commonplace overseeing body ought to make an arrangement; as indicated by which a constructional venture can never be begun unless or until the part body validate it (Zhou, 2015). Besides, there are several pre and post processes which, further, require water as a key-additive, which results in more wastage of water (Wilson Center, 2011). Desizing process in one of the most significant operations in any dying industry. In this process, yarn and strengthening agent are intermixed with each other to produce the ability to weave in the cloth. As a result of this process, prominent wastage of water becomes ubiquitous that may range from four-thousand to eight-thousand tons a day (Zhou, 2015; English.zj.gov.cn, 2016). The pipes that are designed and installed to dumb the waste-water from industry to the River are sometimes not safe. This fact becomes more significant and evident after the severe accident in near the operational unit. The pipe that was leading the waste water got burst in a mediocre way causing the loss in the sea-lives, almost 2,000 tons of fishes (that were trapped by a fisherman living nearby in the village) died. The fisherman further blamed the industry for his loss, and he managed to save a little amount of that deadly wasted water as evidence (English.zj.gov.cn, 2016). Unethical Behavior of Industries in Promoting Pollution The dying industries according to (Globaltimes.cn, 2016) are often wrong in their ways when it comes to treatment of water before dumping it into the river and lakes. It is an utmost responsibility of these industries to ensure the treatment of the wastewater, yet the treatment is continuously in negligence. Most of the companies are afraid of the investments the treatment plant costs. The overall cost ofan equipment, maintenance, and installations is equal to or more than seventeen million Yuan (equivalent to two-and-a-half million US dollars). This cost is not one time, but for each day; therefore, the firms are all useful in spreading the pollution to save the cost expenditures (Globaltimes.cn, 2016). Government Action Plan The government regulatory body have consistently confronted those organizations who do not care for any environmental protection rules and policies (English.zj.gov.cn, 2016). The Shaoxing Environmental Protection Bureau has strongly affirmed to take any serious action against the industry operating illegally by not abiding by the environmental safety laws. However, in reality, these organizations are working without any fear or pressure of being sued (Globaltimes.cn, 2016; Zhou, 2015). On the contrary, the private detectives, journalists, and other people – who are neither part of environmental safety committee nor members of the concerned regulatory authority – have been consistently involved in the combat of anti-pollution movement (English.zj.gov.cn, 2016). Most of the times, the whistle-blowing situations are identified through external means. After all the efforts by journalists and other eternal-force, the Chinese nationals' forced the government to take strict action right away (Globaltimes.cn, 2016). After being alarmed now and again, the government announced to shut the textile industries nearby by Qiantang River. Unfortunately, the government failed again to do so. Hence, it would be no offense in saying that the government has utterly failed in keeping the firms bounded with rules and regulations (Globaltimes.cn, 2016). Role of Journalists and Volunteers The journalists and volunteers have been actively provoking this issue for a long time. Besides the failure of the government's regulatory body, journalists have significantly upraised the matter to the nation and provided an awareness about the dangerous consequences and repercussions (Globaltimes.cn, 2016). According to Zhenjie (2015), these problems are more concerned with the politics rather than the law and regulations. He further signified that: "Punishment and prevention of corporate crime in China face numerous obstacles that require more political than legal efforts, such as arbitrary and biased selective law enforcement, rigid restrictions on the activities of non-governmental organizations and local reluctance to prosecute corporations due to personal interests, the pursuit of growing the gross domestic product and the fear of losing absolute control on society,”  (Zhenjie, 2015) He further identified that pollution is no break-out issue, this has been an eye-catcher for many journalists for a long time. Zehnjie (2015), in addition, revealed that the corporations who are under the support of political influence often gets flexibility in rules and regulations. Affirming the fact about growing environmental issues in Zhejiang, he said that this is simply due to the failure of government; for instance, if the GlaxoSmithKline can be involved in the bribery and the milk has to be brought in from outside, then anything else can happen. Recommended Actions Many researchers have ended up with numerous recommended actions with a permeable that "Now is the time." (Globaltimes.cn, 2016; Wei, 2013) From different research works, following are the recommended actions that can help remove the pollution throughout the country: 1 To establish national policies, governing laws and regulation, change in policies to protect the environment. It is recommended to draft admin...