As the rat scourge continues to spark vast public concern, a new trend is threatening China's picturesque landscapes nationwide. Rich people are making a passionate land grab, seeking to isolate some of the country's most scenic spots and build their own residences there. It is not only environment damage but nibbling at the land originally shared as public resources, said Workers'Daily in a comment published on July 15.

 

What consequences will come about from these unprincipled colonies exclusively for the wealthy?

 

Average people are losing out from being able to enjoy scenic spots such as green belts due to these being subverted into private gardens by richer individuals. Locals have increasingly singled out local governments for criticism since they allow such behavior. These have been seen as colluding with real estate magnates, under the auspice of promoting environmental protection, but in reality ignoring the commonplace building of exclusive communities. For example, Chengde Summer Resort, the largest imperial garden in China, has been targeted with a large number of houses being built around it.

 

Rich people wishing to become home-owners in environmentally charming areas should not see their dreams dashed systematically, but they must understand that the consequences of such drives are dire. For example, real estate developers initiate large-scale projects, creating an almost ritualistic keeping-up-with-the-Joneses phenomenon among prospective buyers, and all with this whilst paying little heed to the environment.

 

These venal developers are pumping mountains, rivers and other natural wonders for all their financial worth by promising a slice of paradise to gullible elites who care not, or forget, that their idyllic retreat comes not only at a hefty environmental cost but also against the express wishes of the central government.

 

Certain elements of the richer echelons bear special blame. Owners of polluting or energy-consuming plants, they can be doubly accused for not only building their houses in scenic areas which ought to be enjoyed by all, but they also carry the responsibility of polluting the environment around their plants. They should be thus branded under the double fault of being both polluters and land encroachers.  

 

Although richer folk want to enjoy a beautiful residence in a wondrous cadre, harsh realities can impact upon this goal. Their vision of escaping pollution will irretrievably come to a brutal halt when they are themselves responsible for the worsening of the country's environmental damage.

 

The state environment watchdog has pledged to halt environmental pollution by abolishing new residential areas that go against public welfare.

 

(China.org.cn by He Shan, July 19 2007)