PUTUO District government has begun demolishing unlicensed boats converted into floating houses for out-of-towners.

Officials said yesterday that more than 60 boats, most of them too damaged to be able to sail, were berthed along Xinchapu River near the border of Putuo and Baoshan districts.

More than 200 people are living on the boats, causing safety risks and polluting the river and surrounding environment, according to Putuo government officials. They added that the boat dwellers had discharged sewage into the river and raised fowl on the riverbanks. Nearby villagers were paid to supply power and water to the boats, littering the area with electric wires and water pipelines.