The Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau will set up a stable bonus system for tipsters to encourage more residents to help officers monitor illegal pollutant discharge, officials said during the weekend.

Starting this year, an independent fund was allocated from the bureau's annual fiscal budget to reward residents who provide hard evidence of untreated waste discharge by enterprises.

Before, tipsters were usually rewarded a certain percentage of the fine imposed on violators, officials explained.

About 70,000 yuan (US$8,434) - with the highest amount being 3,000 yuan - has been given since the bureau started paying tipsters at the end of 2000.

Tipsters are now paid between 200 yuan to 5,000 yuan according to the significance and timeliness of their tips, while there is no ceiling on the prize, officials said.

If adequate and hard evidence - such as photos and videos demonstrating the illegality - is provided, the bonus is hiked.

"As locals have become more aware of environmental protection in recent years, tips have also become common, though many tipsters are not direct victims of the pollution they report," said Zhang Quan, bureau vice director, adding the number of tips has risen by 10 percent every year.

In the latest citywide crackdown, 30 percent violations of the 492 companies punished were provided by tipsters.

Besides the bonus system, 1,200 professional monitors will be engaged to collect evidence of local waste discharge. The first batch of 100 pilot monitors can be seen in Baoshan, Minhang and Changning districts by the end of this year, officials said.

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