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Rivers are the circulatory system of Mother Earth! The problems of rivers are also problems  relevant to the survival of every human being! In recent years, water pollution, ecosystem destruction and excessive development have become increasingly pronounced. Solving these problems require long-term and effective cooperation from many members of society. Under such circumstances, environmental NGOs must actively demonstrate the issues they have been concerned with and the efforts they have made in order to win more support to protect water resources.

Because of this, 20 environmental NGOs held the Second Chinese NGO Water Protection Meeting in Nanchang. Through heated discussion and  negotiation, the Nanchang Meeting has reached the conclusion that:

1. Water shortages are still a widespread problem in China, and this is manifested through  limited resources, structural deficiencies, and water quality problems (pollution);

2. The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau has clearly been influenced by climate change and more attention should be paid to this area given land degradation, desertification, and falling water supplies;

3. The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau has clearly been influenced by climate change and more attention should be paid to this area given land degradation, desertification, and falling water supplies;

4. Rivers and water resources are a public resource. The government and public voices should try to stop irrational hydropower development  to protect the rights and interests of vulnerable social groups during hydroelectric development;

The estuaries of rivers, such as Bohai Bay, are severely polluted by heavy chemical industries, and their ecological systems and natural environments are greatly damaged. The local government has a responsibility to adjust the industrial allocation and strictly control heavy chemical industrial pollution;

5. Confronted with the pressure of rapid urbanization, Chinese cities are facing a severe crisis of water resources. Urban development should be based on the carrying capacity of the local ecology and environment, particularly regarding  water resources. Water resources should be the prerequisite of a city's development scale;

River water resources play a significant role in people's daily lives. The River Watch Action group have decided that the environmental NGOs participating in this meeting have the following mission:

1. Promote watershed and river information disclosure and at the same time  publicize this information;

2. Build a platform for the public to participate and make them the mainstay in  environmental protection;

3. Actively promote environmental public interest litigation and protect the environment through laws and regulations;

4. Establish a resource sharing mechanism  for information, manpower and experience, and strengthen the cooperation among members of the River Watch Action group.

The purpose of the River Watch Action group is to inform the public of rivers' information and encourage them to proactively participate in river protection efforts, and also regarding isues of public resources, utilize public choice, so that in the end the rivers may recover their natural quality allowing people to swim, drink and fish .

Membership organizations of the River Watch Action group include: Green Zhejiang, Green Watershed, Green Friend Association, Chongqing Green Volunteers Union, Huai River Guard, Gansu "Green Camel Bell" Environment and Development Center, Green Hanjiang, Jiangxi Youth Environmental Exchange Centre,   Green Longjiang, Green River, Saunder's Gull Conservation Society of Panjin City, Green Anhui, Green Hunan Association, Hengduan Mountains Research Institute, Blue Dalian, the Green Beagle, Xiamen Greencross Association, Fujian Environmental Protection Volunteer Association ,  Greenovation Hub and Green Earth Volunteers. This declaration is jointly publicized by these organizations above.

Translated by Allen Cui and Angela Merriam