Source: CCTV.com

02-28-2008 10:45

On Wednesday, China launched its first national census of pollution sources. The move is a green drive to curb the country's environmental deterioration.

On Wednesday, China launched its first national census of  pollution sources. The move is a green drive to curb the country's environmental deterioration.

Census work staff have begun dispatching forms across the country. Data collection and analysis will be finalized this year. The result is expected to be announced in the first half of 2009. The census targets industrial sources, agricultural sources and living sources, aiming to investigate the volume and distribution areas of the pollution sources.

Wang Yuqing, Official of State Council said "Through the census, we can know what are the major polluters, the data on the pollution sources is expected to help the central government map out environmental protection policies."

Under the census regulations, anyone that makes delayed or false reports, scraps or destroys original databases, and refuses or interferes with investigations will bear legal liability.

Wang Yuqing said "We will punish the administrative heads who distort data, and may investigate legal liabilities."

The regulation also says information collected on individuals for use in the census can not be used as evidence for administrative punishment.

Editor:Xiong Qu