To fight crimes involving environmental protection and maintain a sustainable environment, multiple law-enforcement agencies have been established to solve relevant cases in Guizhou province, a senior official said on Thursday.

This is also the first time a province has established such agencies, the spokesman said.

Ecological preservation has become one of the major tasks of China in recent years, as many cities face significant problems with air pollution and water shortage.

Located near the upper reaches of the Yangtze and Pearl rivers, Guizhou considers itself an ecology barrier for the region.

“The establishment of law enforcement agencies will help us accelerate the speed and punish those who damaging the environment for their personal interests,” said Li Jun, deputy Party chief of Guizhou.

Since 2007, police in Guiyang, capital city of Guizhou province, have investigated 7,305 environment-related cases, including illegal discharge of sewage, deforestation and poaching of wild animals.

Source: chinadaily.com.cn