Film shooting and artistic performances will be banned in most
areas of nature reserves, scenic spots and at sites of historical
interest across China, according to a new regulation.
People who violate the regulation and damage the environment in
these places will be dealt with harshly, according to the
regulation, jointly issued by the State Environmental Protection
Administration, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of
Culture and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage on
Friday.
Film shooting and artistic performances will still be allowed in
the experimental zones of nature reserves, outer sections of scenic
spots and some cultural heritage sites.
The regulation requires approval from relevant authorities on
the building of film sets and stages for one-off performances.
Film studios and performance organizers must act strictly in
accordance with stipulations and requirements for protection. They
should immediately dismantle the settings, stages and other
facilities after they finish their work and restore the vegetation
they have damaged, according to the regulation.
China now has 2,349 natural reserves, covering about 1.5 million
square kilometers, 15 percent of China's land area.
However some local governments neglect nature reserve protection
in favor of economic development.
The exploitation of nature reserves has been widely publicized.
Director Chen Kaige's film The Promise was accused of littering and
destroying vegetation at a scenic nature reserve in Shangri La,
southwest China's Yunnan Province in 2004.
The producer was fined 90,000 yuan (US$11,250). A local official
was also fired for neglect of duty.
Experts criticized the local government for being too tolerant
as the fine was only a small proportion of the film's total
investment.
Regulations on scenic zones and tourist resorts management,
which took effect on December 1 last year, stipulate that people
who destroy vegetation in such areas will be fined between 500,000
yuan to 1 million yuan (US$125,000).
(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2007)