Environmental protection fund worthy
Chen HongChina Daily  Updated: 2005-02-03 06:05

Provincial environmental protection administrations are trying to formulate a petition at the forthcoming sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, so they can be guaranteed funding.

According to a report by the China Business News, the petition will call for the Ministry of Finance to add an independent item, specially for environmental protection, to the national budget.

The report, quoting an official from the administration in Fujian Province, said the inclusion would guarantee funds for environmental protection.

Funding earmarked for environmental protection could not be guaranteed for various reasons.

Their understanding of the strictness of the State budget is correct. As long as such an item is added, it will be carried out faithfully as is every other item, and the amount of money is unlikely to change dramatically.

However, their real objective may not be the money itself, but more solid backing from the State.

As most people know, the environmental protection administrations are often underfunded.

Since environmental protection itself does not generate immediate economic returns, it is often difficult for local environmental protection departments to make ends meet, much less purchase the cutting-edge monitoring equipment needed.

Financial difficulties have significantly handicapped the environmental watchdogs' capabilities to perform their duties. On the other hand, thirst for financial resources has brewed malpractice among the ranks, such as mismanagement of the fees collected from polluting industries.

As a department working to protect the environment for all, the administrations are more public-orientated than many others within the government.

They may seem to consume money for no real tangible benefits, yet they try to safeguard our air, water and land all of which are key factors in our existence and development.

If they are distracted by a lack of money, the damage done to the environment will not be theirs alone.

The government has come to realize that maintaining the environment is one of its key responsibilities.

Such understanding partly explains why the so-called scientific perspective of development is now in vogue in China.

Yet, after all the slogans have been shouted, we still need concrete moves to put the words into practice.

A well-funded monitoring network is indispensable if the authorities are truly serious about their proclaimed commitment to a balance between economic progress and environmental well-being.

Including funding in the national budget does not necessarily mean an abundance of money, but a sure supply.

Our environment deserves it.

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