Nansha tears down unapproved projects to improve environment

Ten unapproved construction projects near rivers are torn down on Sep 3. [Photo/gznsnews.com.cn]

A total of 10 unapproved construction projects in Guangzhou's Nansha district were torn down on Sept 3.

The 10 projects were alongside five rivers in Nansha community, namely Gongyequ River, Nanheng River, Lujing River, Dachong River, and Guanglong River, covering a total area of 1,980 square meters.

"The unapproved construction projects along rivers not only occupied river areas, but also polluted the rivers as the sanitary sewage was discharged into the river directly. Therefore, tearing down these buildings is the first step for the treatment of the water environment," said a person in charge of Nansha community. 

"The river here used to be dirty and smelly, so now the changes are really huge," said Zheng Xingxian, a local resident from Nansha community who lives near Gongyequ River.

Zheng added that the water quality in local rivers was much better and that people were able to catch fish and shrimps from the river.

Nansha district has torn down 322 unapproved construction projects near rivers since 2020, spanning an overall area of 50,363 sq m.

Construction of projects like setting up guard rails along both sides of rivers, dredging the bottom of rivers, and building green ways along rivers are expected to start after tearing down these buildings.