China is working hard to protect its endangered wildlife and
their habitats, and has set up protected areas for most wild
species.
The State Forestry Administration (SFA) says that 85 percent of
wildlife species, 85 percent of terrestrial ecosystems and 65
percent of higher plant colonies are now protected.
At a national conference held Thursday in Haikou, capital of the
southern province of Hainan,
SFA officials said a growing number of nature reserves across the
country are providing good environments for endangered plant and
animal species.
By the end of 2003, China had set up 1,538 nature reserves
covering a total area of 118 million hectares, or 12.3 percent of
China's total land territory. They have contributed to the growth
of such endangered plants and animals as the giant panda, red ibis,
Chinese alligator, yew, arethusa and cycad.
However, some species are still critically endangered as a
result of illicit hunting, poaching, logging and smuggling
activities.
"If we do not take substantial action to stop such illegal
activities quickly, some related industries will find it hard to
move ahead," said SFA deputy director Zhao Xuemin.
In the past year, China's forestry authorities launched a series
of campaigns to crack down on illegal hunting, logging and
smuggling. In the Spring Thunder operation alone, the SFA filed
approximately 9,000 cases for investigation and seized more than
900,000 pieces of evidence.
Meanwhile, Zhao said the SFA will make great efforts to promote
controlled breeding and raising of wildlife and plants in the
future to ease natural protection pressure. More than 18,000 such
bases have already been set up across the country.
The SFA reports that 156 of China's endangered plant and animal
species are among the 640 listed in the United Nations Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species.
However, due to insufficient resources, habitat destruction and
poaching, China could lose 15 to 20 percent of its protected
species. The global average is estimated at 10 to 15 percent.
(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2004)