Thaksin Launches 'environmental Warriors' Scheme

[george]

PM launches 'environmental warriors' scheme

BANGKOK: --- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today launched the 'environmental warriors' scheme, a new initiative aimed to create well awareness among the general public and industrial plants on environmental protection.

The scheme was initiated by more than a dozen of universities across the nation.

Under the project, student 'environmental worriors' from the universities will visit industrial plants in Bangkok and other six provinces surrounding the city to collect samples of wastewater to be tested for contaminated substances which could pollute local rivers or canals.

The 'environmental warriors' will report the results of the tests to the industrial plants and the Department of Pollution Control, which will work together to control the wastewater before it is to be released to the local water resources, according to a TNA reporter who covered the ceremony.

The project is firstly aimed to improve water conditions in the country's three main rivers, including the Chao Phraya River, the Tha Jin River and the Bangpakong River.

The 'environmental warriors' will also help promote the sense of responsibiltiy among the general public, as well as households along canals or rivers to conserve the waterways by encouraging them not to throw garbages into the water resources.

--TNA 2005-06-09