Friday, January 11, 2013

River Pollution Compensation conundrum | chinadaily.com.cn

Chemical leak into river puts focus on plant
Hazmat workers remove contaminated river ice
Chemical leak into river puts focus on plantThe recent chemical spill into the Zuozhang River, Shanxi Province (northwest) has focused attention on environmental pollution, China Daily reports. - GWC
Compensation conundrum |Cover Story |chinadaily.com.cn:

Some Changzhi residents told China Daily that contaminated water from the aniline spill has flowed into their fallowfarmlandand they expressed concerns that the toxic chemical would affect the spring harvestIf that proves to be thecasethey will ask for compensation from the plant or the local government.
Howeverit's difficult for residents to defend their rights as individualsaccording to Tian Fengchanga legal adviser atthe All-China Environment FederationA lack of legal knowledge prevents many people from asserting their rights andmost are unable to afford the legal fees.
"They either ask for a huge amount in compensation that exceeds the prescribed limitor don't know their rights," saidTian.
People are often vulnerable when they are up against big business or the governmentsaid Tianwho has paid closeattention to environment compensation claims since 2005. Instead they usually turn to specialist organizations such asAll-China Environment Federation for help.
"These groups are professional and find it easier to attract the government's attention," he said. "Individuals are highlyunlikely to get any response."
He advised the Changzhi residents to collect evidence for use in investigations by taking photos and water samples.Howeverthe compensation procedure could take yearssaid Tian.
Hu Sanhuhead of the Changzhi Government Information Officesaid no schedule has yet been drawn up forcompensation claimsbut pledged that experts from the Ministry of Environmental Protection will test the contaminated soil.




'via Blog this'

No comments:

Post a Comment