As aerial photography equipment has become more popular in recent years, using aerial cameras for carrying out official duties has gradually become a trend. Since 2018, the Environmental Protection Bureau of Yunlin County has been using high point cameras along with UAV aerial cameras to carry out open burning inspections. Up until now, a total of 45 open burning aerial photography missions have been conducted. In addition, 116 site inspections were performed by the Environmental Protection Bureau through fire point satellite notification. Thanks to aerial monitoring and the expansion of the ground inspection, the area of burning has been reduced by 7,400 hectares. Subsequently, through satellite positioning and cadastral enquiries, the Environmental Protection Bureau tracks down the land manager and clarifies the responsibility of such pollution through sending them official letters.
When the county’s first rice harvest season begins in May, farmers usually burn straw or agricultural waste on the ground after the harvest is completed, which is a cause for public complaints and air pollution. When receiving complaints, it used to be difficult for the Environmental Protection Bureau to investigate due to the person making the compliant not being able to pinpoint the exact location of the pollution. However, thanks to technologies such as UAV aerial photography, high-point monitors, and satellite fire point notifications, we are able to track the location of open burning in a large area within a short period of time, and together with the help of coordinate positioning and location searches, we now can get clear evidence of pollution. The public is keen not to carry out open burning as a matter of convenience to avoid penalties and polluting air quality.
The Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, Zheng, Yu-Lin stated that open burning is an illegal behavior, and as stipulated in the Air Pollution Control Act, a maximum penalty of NT$100,000 may be imposed on any offender. If the thick smoke from burning obstructs the line-of-sight of a driver and results in injury or death, the offender will be held criminally responsible. Farmers are advised to cut up straw during the harvest, and bury it after it has been sun-dried. They should also spray probiotic fertilizer to allow the nutrients from the discarded straw to return to the soil, allowing improvement in soil fertility. The straw can also be sold to the recycling sector for reuse purposes. It is strictly prohibited to dispose of straw by open burning thus avoiding possible penalties, said Director Zheng. If any illegal burning is discovered, please call the toll-free number of the Environmental Protection Bureau pollution complaints department on 0800-556-003. The Bureau will immediately conduct an investigation.
