(CN) China answers call of the wild

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China Daily

http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2002-02-21/57354.html

(QIN CHUAN)

02/21/2002

 

The future of China's nature reserves is looking bright thanks to government

investment and tightening management, according to the State Environmental

Protection Administration (SEPA).

The number of nature reserves across China has exceeded 1,220, according to

Zhuang Guotai, deputy director-general of the Department of Natural

Environmental Conservation under the SEPA.

 

The reserves account for nearly 10 per cent of the country's land mass.

 

Last year, the central government invested 30 million yuan (US$3.6 million)

in the build-up and management of nature reserves. In 2000, the investment

totalled 20 million yuan (US$2.4 million).

 

Although increased, such an investment is still far from being enough due to

the country's immense size, said Zhuang.

 

Many nature reserves, which are located in poverty-stricken regions in

China, are especially in need of increased financial input, he added.

 

The management of nature reserves, which used to be poor, has been

strengthened with the setting up of management bodies for each of the 171

State-level nature reserves in the country, Zhuang said.

 

Some regions, such as North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, have

even enforced management regulations for certain nature reserves.

 

However, Zhuang stressed the country's statute laws on nature reserves, made

more than six years ago, are imperfect.

 

" The country should make a law on nature reserves, " he said. Zhuang added

his department will carry out inspections on the implementation of

regulations on nature reserves because crimes, such as illegal logging, are

still happening nationwide.

 

According to Zhuang, the country will enhance co-operations with foreign

countries and international organizations in the establishment and

management of nature reserves.