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)