Discontent with development? Not here

With fuming factories of the Eco Industrial Town in Japan's Chiba province on the background, wooden poles set in the seawater to raise clams are clearly visible. The clam is an important ingredient of soup.

The peaceful coexistence in this "eco-industrial town" is convincing Thai authorities and petrochemical firms that there can be a harmonious solution to environmental problems that end up sparking public dissent against industrial development.

In Ichihara, part of Chiba prefecture and only an hour's drive from Tokyo, heavy industrial plants are located within a 1.4-million-square-metre area.

"The industrial activities have no effect on fishing. A strong bond of trust has developed between the factories, communities and administration. Fifteen years ago, a factory that erroneously released wastewater notified the city before residents learned about it. Indeed, such a bond requires trust, built over a long period and with a strong legal framework," said Mithuru Katsuyama, 57, an executive of the Fishermen's Union in Kisarazu city, near Ichihara.

At present, some 6,000 fishermen live in the area, down from 17,000 before the industrial zone took shape, because some fishermen have gone to work in the petrochemical complexes. |Nearby are rice and bean plantations.

In the process to build trust, an annual meeting is held between communities, plant operators and city representatives, with biannual magazines for the communities. Workers also volunteer to conduct community activities, such as teaching, said Yasuo Ikeda, executive officer and general manager of Mitsui Chemicals, which operates 35 plants in Ichihara.

Meanwhile, environmental laws control air and water contamination. Advanced technology has been installed, while plants conduct monthly inspections, with reports sent to the city.

Seiichi Shinohara, air-quality section leader of Ichihara's Environmental Control Division, said every five years, a contract with the plants was drawn up seeking their commitment to environmental rules that could be changed over time.

The city and the prefecture are authorised to shut down any plant found to be in violation of these rules.

"So far, no such order has been given, because the plants shut themselves down whenever a mishap occurs. They just notify us if anything happens," he said.

Supat Wangwongwatana, director-general of Thailand's Pollution Control Department, said these stories were encouraging Thai authorities to enlist the aid of new technology to help end the conflict in Rayong's Map Ta Phut area.

Many of the plants there have been operating for more than 30 years and must change their production process. Introducing new technology would help reduce toxic emissions.

To this end, the department next Wednesday will meet with private operators to discuss the application of advanced technology in waste management.

"The Siam Cement Group (SCG) and the PTT Group should take the lead in ensuring coexistence. Advanced technology can help," Supat said.

Eco-industrial towns have existed in Japan since before the 1980s, tackling environmental problems stemming from massive industrial development. After an initial focus on health and economic problems, the second stage sought cooperation from local communities via health-impact assessments prior to plant openings.

In the third stage, these eco-towns focused on recycling all waste.

"We're only in the first stage of that development [in Thailand]," said Cholathorn Dumrongsak, director of SCG's Total Quality Promotion Centre.

Katsuyama said there had been no more environmental mishaps since that one 15 years ago. Fishermen suffer more from global warming than they do from industrial development. Higher temperatures have reduced seaweed output and consequently spurred the growth of jellyfish.

"No matter what happens in your home town, I believe there is a solution. Environmental concerns grew after massive industrial expansion from 1960-70, and business operators here are tackling the issue seriously for sustainable development," the fisherman told this Nation reporter.