The Ministry of Ecology and Environment responds to the destruction of Dunhuang’s ten thousand mu of desert protection forest: the on-site investigation is basically over, and serious accountability if neglected
China News Service, Beijing, January 28 (Reporter Ruan Yulin) Recently, the media reported the destruction of Dunhuang's 10,000-mu desert shelterbelt and caused public concern. Liu Youbin, spokesperson of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, responded to this at a press conference on the 28th, The Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspectorate Office has basically completed the on-site investigation work. If it finds that there is indeed a problem of obvious negligence, it will urge the relevant parties in Gansu Province to further investigate and verify, and take serious accountability.
Liu Youbin said that the Ministry of Ecology and Environment attached great importance to the deforestation of the Dunhuang Public Welfare Shelter Forest after media reports. Sun Jinlong, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and Huang Runqiu, Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, issued instructions immediately, requesting that an investigation team be organized to investigate the situation immediately.
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment Zhai Qing led a team, and the Central Ecological Environmental Protection Inspectorate Office has gone to the site of the incident to conduct an on-site investigation.
According to reports, the investigation team made full use of scientific and technological means such as satellite remote sensing and drone aerial photography, and comprehensively used on-site surveys, visits and inquiries, data retrieval, and discussion and exchange to investigate and verify relevant issues one by one.
Liu Youbin said that at present, the on-site investigation has basically ended, and the investigation team is sorting out a summary analysis and forming an investigation report.
Liu Youbin said that in the next step, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will report the investigation and verification to Gansu Province in accordance with the procedures, and disclose it to the media.
If it is found that there is a problem of obvious negligence of duty, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will urge the relevant parties of Gansu Province to further investigate and verify, clarify the responsibilities, and take accountability in accordance with laws and disciplines.
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