Problems
The Yellow River in China is known as the country's «mother river». It supplies water to millions of people in the north of China. Years of pollution from factory discharges and sewage from fast-expanding cities have deteriorated the river's water quality.
Causes of pollution of the Yellow River
The lower Yellow River basin has experienced rapid industrial and agricultural development in recent decades, supporting 12% of China's population. Therefore, the regular/increasing use of pesticides and fertilizers and the increasing intensity of human activities has seen large volumes of wastewater containing heavy metals and other contaminants discharged into aquatic systems. This urbanization has led to an increase in environmental exposure to pollutants. The river is an important water source in Northwest & North China, protecting their ecological security and stability. It also supports critical agricultural production bases such as Hetao, Fenwei, and Huanghuahai Plains and an energy base across China. Industrial waste gas emission and solid waste production showed a close to exponential increase up to 2011 before reaching a plateau. The Central Yellow River and North Coast regions produced the most industrial waste gas and solid waste. The pollution has resulted in human health problems, poisoned wildlife, and long-term ecosystem damage.
Gallery
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Timelines
2024
April
After the Yellow River Protection Law took effect, the quality of the ecological environment in the Yellow River basin has improved. The law enhances the legal enforcement capability regarding ecological conservation and restoration, as well as environmental pollution control, in areas along the Yellow River in China. Since its implementation, the Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources has strengthened the ecological protection and management of rivers, lakes and reservoirs in the Yellow River basin. It is the first time that the river's tributary reservoirs discharged clear water during the concentrated periods of water transfer and sand transfer, which lessens the impact on aquatic organisms and habitats and realizes the multiple goals of sand discharge, sediment reduction and ecological protection.
2022
October
The Yellow River Protection Law was adopted in October 2022 and features enriched content regarding ecological conservation and restoration, as well as environmental pollution control, in areas along the Yellow River, known as the "Mother River" in China.
The World Bank approved a US$380 million loan to help address water scarcity and ecosystem degradation in China’s Yellow River basin. Twelve central state agencies led by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment unveiled an action plan for protecting and restoring the Yellow River.
2021
China approved a strategy for the Yellow River basin's ecological protection and high-quality development.
2014
Lanzhou Petrochemical Company, one of the most significant local tax revenue contributors, leaked benzene into the Yellow River and tainted Lanzhou residents' only source of drinking water.
2011
Ian Teh started a project documenting the environmental and social impacts of China’s coal industry and the Yellow River basin.