"NGOs, Volunteer Groups Take Pollution Fight into their Own Hands", 13 Aug 2015

…Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and volunteer groups focused on environmental protection…includ[ing] Chongqing Liangjiang Voluntary Service Center, Tianjin Binhai Environmental Advisory Service Center and Green Hunan, among others. These groups often use satellite maps to spot sources of pollution, especially in remote areas, and then set off to inspect the sites.

These NGOs…still face steep opposition from companies, lukewarm reception from government officials and limitations from their own resources. In response they say the government should engage with the groups and offer them support…

Some plants were found [by Liangjiang to] illegally discharging wastewater without proper treatment…The group then mails a research report and test results to related government departments. Liangjiang has yet to receive any feedback from environmental authorities, but on June 19, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said 26 illegal chemical plants in Liaocheng had been punished. Bai said the group's approach to research is simple and traditional, and includes taking photos, conducting interviews and collecting samples.

Liangjiang volunteers say factories are better at hiding emission sources and, companies and local authorities can be extremely hostile. Some volunteers have even been detained by police…A lack of talented people is cited as another headache. Dong said conducting checks for industrial pollution requires expert knowledge.