From editor: On 28th Nov., the article named Yichang’s 38 Cob Brick Kilns Shut Down Through Prohibition in Combination with Supporting, written by Cheng Yuanzhou was published on the People’s Daily.

In Shanxiyao village, Baiyang Industrial Park, High-tech Zone, Yichang, Mr. Zhang told the reporter that dozens of cob brick kilns which used to let out smoke have been shut down. As a result, Mrs. Zhang coughs less and crops grow better than before.

While the area was a smoke-diffusing and smelly brick and tile production base this time last year. Staff of Yichang Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau introduced that, Shanxiyao village, which produced archaized bricks and tiles since Qing Dynasty, is the biggest distribution center in producing bricks and tiles of this kind in Hubei. In recent years, 38 kilns in this village operated all year round, providing more than 300 job vacancies and over 30 million production value each year and becoming the pillar industry in the village. But at the same time, smoke emission has caused severe air pollution for that the smoke produced by the burning of coal and wood was discharged directly without any treatment, making it unbearable for villagers.

After receiving the complaints, officers of Yichang Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau verified it through investigation about the producing and operating conditions of the kilns and disseminated related laws and regulations. Soon after that, Yichang Municipal Party Committee and its government convoked a symposium to solve the environmental pollution of Shanxiyao village and set up an overal working program on the complete closure, demolition and compensation of those kilns.

The village had intended to promote the technology to reduce pollution. Last year some kiln owners went to Daye, Hubei and Mengzhou, Henan to learn about new producing crafts and technology of ancient style construction materials under the organization of of Baiyang Industrial Park office.. “I have invested 50 thousand yuan in desulfuration equipment and transformation of the kiln tank after the visit, but the pollution still exists.” said Shuai Yiming, the owner of Shuangming construction material factory. Despite the usage of smokeless coal, transformation of kiln tank, promotion of calcining technology and installation of environmental purification facilities under the help of environmental protection administration, they still cannot meet the relevant requirements of the new Environmental Law.

The fail of industrial upgrading and some villagers’ insistence of traditional technology make it the only choice to shut down cob brick kilns. To convince the villagers, law-enforcement personnel of Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau together with officers of Baiyang Industrial Park went to every family of this village to acquire the their appeal and to disseminate related laws and regulations. In last December, 38 cob brick kilns were shut down through the sealing of concrete walls, wickets and productive power. “In the inspection before spring festival, 4 kilns were found to resume production.” said law enforcement officers of Yichang environmental monitoring team. And the next day, 36 officers were dispatched to this village to disseminate the policy again, make careful investigation and close down those reborn kilns.

　　“The fundamental way to shut down cob brick kilns was no other than through prohibition in combination with supporting, ensuring that people can lead a secure life without worries,” said Zhao Hongxing, vice secretary of Baiyang Town Committee. Taking into consideration of the villagers’ actual production and living conditions, they determined to guide them and grant them support funds in changing the line of production or reemployment, making efforts to mitigate the impact of the closure of cob brick kilns on their life.

This April saw the well-placed distribution of 9.89million yuan support funds in changing the line of production (reemployment). Shuai Yiming said, “The Municipal Government of Yichang made substantial efforts to help the people in this regard and closed cob brick kilns to protect our living surroundings, so we have no reason to argue again.”

Currently, there were 38 cob brick kilns and 29 sheds for unburnt bricks in Shanxiyao village completely closed with overall demolition of production mechanical equipment and electricity facilities. The villagers who sell finished products purchased in other places or work in the nearby factories can still lead prosperous lives. Shuai Yiming expressed that the disappearance of cob brick kilns gave ways to the reappearance of white clouds, blue sky and beautiful hills, which is priceless. “The closure of cob brick kilns resulted in the improvement of Yichang’s environmental pollution. We need to make economic development while keeping a green environment. Regardless of how hard to control the air pollution, we resolve to manage it and overcome difficulties!” remarked Huang Chuping, a Standing Committee Member of the Hubei Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Yichang Municipal Party Committee. (From People’s Daily of 28th Nov., by Cheng Yuanzhou)