Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Wild Plants Protection (2017 Revision)

Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Wild Plants Protection (2017 Revision) Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Wild Plants Protection (Promulgated by Decree No.204 of the State Council of the People's Republic of China on September 30, 1996, and amended in accordance with the Decision of the State Council to Amend Certain Administrative Regulations by the Order No. 687 of the State Council on October 7, 2017) Chapter I General Provisions Article 1 These Regulations are formulated for the purpose of protecting, developing and rationally utilizing wild plant resources, retaining the biodiversity and maintaining ecological balances. Article 2 All activities in the territory of the People's Republic of China concerning the protection, development and utilization of wild plants must be conducted in conformity with these Regulations. Wild plants protected under these Regulations refer to plants growing in natural conditions, which are specious or which are rare or near extinction and of important economic, scientific or cultural value. As regards the protection of medicinal wild plants and wild plants within urban gardens, nature reserves and scenic spots, other relevant laws and regulations shall also apply. Article 3 The state shall pursue a policy of strengthening the protection of wild plant resources, actively developing and rationally utilizing wild plant resources. Article 4 The state shall protect the lawful rights and interests of units and individuals engaged in the development, utilization or management of wild plant resources according to law. Article 5 The state shall encourage and support scientific research on wild plants and the protection of wild plants either in their original habitats or by moving them to other places. Units and individuals having made remarkable achievements in the protection, research, cultivation or utilization of or popular education about wild plants shall be awarded by the people's government. Article 6 Relevant departments of people's governments at and above the county level shall conduct popular education concerning the protection of wild plants, popularize knowledge about wild plants and enhance citizens' consciousness of protecting wild plants. Article 7 All units and individuals shall have the duty to protect wild plant resources and the right to inform the authorities of or file charges against acts of seizure or damaging of wild plants or the environment for their survival. Article 8 The department of forestry administration under the State Council shall take charge of the nationwide supervision and administration of wild plants in forest zones and precious wild trees beyond the forest zones. The department of agriculture administration under the State Council shall take charge of the nationwide supervision and administration of other wild plants. The department of construction administration under the State Council shall be responsible for the supervision and administration of wild plants in urban gardens and scenic spots. The department of environmental protection under the State Council shall be responsible for the nationwide coordination and supervision of the protection of the environment for survival of wild plants. Other relevant departments of the State Council shall be responsible for relevant work of protection of wild plants in accordance with their respective duties. The department in charge of the administration of wild plants under local people's governments at and above the county level and said department's duties and functions shall be designated and determined by the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the central government in accordance with the local actual situation. Chapter II Protection Of Wild Plants Article 9 The state shall protect wild plants and the environment for their survival. All units and individuals shall be forbidden to illegally collect wild plants or damage the environment for their survival. Article 10 Wild plants shall be classified into two categories: ones under special protection by state and ones under special protection by localities. Wild plants under special state protection shall be classified into two classes: ones under first class state protection and ones under second class state protection. Lists of wild plants under special state protection shall be drawn up by the department of forestry administration and the department of agriculture administration under the State Council(hereinafter referred to as the department of wild plants administration under the State council), in consultation with other relevant departments under the State Council such as the department of environmental protection and the department of construc......