The Chinese authorities have removed dozens of tons of waste from an old cave complex near Zhangjiajie National Park. That park served as inspiration for the movie Avatar. For years, residents had dumped their waste in the caves.
China has started a huge cleanup operation after the piles of garbage came to light a few weeks ago via social media. The South China Morning Post reports this.
Images showed piles that some Internet users said were “several stories high.” Local media also reported that there was a terrible stench in the area.
The pollution is causing great outrage because the caves are part of the Zhangjiajie nature reserve. That is one of China’s most famous attractions. The national park, with towering rock formations covered with trees, served as inspiration for the movie Avatar.
Cleanup crews have now removed 51 tons of waste from the caves. Local authorities suspect that the pollution occurred between 2010 and 2016, based on the packaging found among the waste.
An investigation has now been opened and a hotline has been set up to report illegal dumping. Four local officials have also been suspended. Chinese President Xi Jinping has made environmental protection one of his priorities.
Zhangjiajie, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most visited national park in China. In 2024, nearly two million tourists visited the park in Hunan province, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua.