Abstract

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Title:: Measures Containing Mining Damage in Huzhou of Zhejiang Provincein the Ming and Qing Dynasties：Effect of Customs and Beliefs onEnvironmental Protection

Keywords:: Ming and Qing Dynasties; Huzhou region of Zhejiang Province; mining damage; environmentalprotection

Abstract:: In the Ming and Qing dynasties， Huzhou region of Zhejiang Province suffered from a series ofdamage inflicted by mining activities， which were usually done under the guise of such justifiable causes asbuilding seawalls and bridges and minting. Despite various pressures and with the support of some visionarymen， the local officials in Huzhou prohibited the harmful mining business， thus contributing a lot to theenvironmental protection at that time. An analysis of the text of relevant sanctions issued and measures takenby the then local government shows that the local officials tried to protect environment mainly because theynot only respected the customs and beliefs but paid attention to people’s livelihood as well. At present， thereare still similar customs and beliefs. If we make a wise use of these customs and beliefs by filtering out theirnegative superstitious elements， they can supply us with a lot of support for environmental protection.