In 2021, Liangshan county in Jining, Shandong province implemented China's national strategy on the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin, treating solid waste along the 10-kilometer extension on the banks of the Yellow River to echo the special cleanup campaign led by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

The special campaign aims to prevent environmental pollution and minimize hazardous effects by thoroughly investigating the dumping of solid waste in nine provincial-level regions along the river.

Liangshan quickly set up a special team to monitor the situations of towns, villages, and healthcare institutions regarding people, garbage, as well as livestock and poultry along the 10-kilometer extension of the river banks.

Starting from May 28, six teams from the county's ecological environment bureau and a group of unmanned aerial vehicles searched key areas within the 10-kilometer range. Liangshan also encouraged local residents to get involved by publicizing the initiative through social media platforms like Weibo, hanging banners, and distributing environmental leaflets.

From June to July, the county had identified a total of 136 solid waste problems and treated them in accordance with regulations. During that period, the county conducted a series of onsite review on each case to ensure that all problems were addressed. By the end of July, the county had fully completed its Yellow River cleanup campaign.

A stretch of the Yellow River in Liangshan county. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]