The Yangtze River of China is becoming increasingly polluted, according to a report of the Yangtze River Water Resources Authority. In 2001, sewage and industrial waste dumping increased by 11 per cent from the 2000 levels. Due to this, many stretches of the 6,212-km long river have become too polluted for human use. The report states that the river's water quality will continue to deteriorate. This will threaten rare species such as the Yangtze River dolphin, as well as people residing in the river basin (www.newscientist.com, January 2, 2002).