The regulations on nature reserve management stipulate conservation funds should be provided by local governments above the county level, and complemented by allocations from the Central Government.

The annual funding for nature reserves from governments at various levels is less than 200 million yuan ($30.86 million), which is far from enough to sustain their operation, so many nature reserves have to be "self-sufficient," said Shanghai-based China Business News, citing data from the State Forestry Administration.

Policy responses

To better protect nature reserves, the State Council issued a notice on improving nature reserve management in January. The notice requires stricter restrictions on economic activities in nature reserves.

It says the boundaries and functional zones of a nature reserve should not be redrawn within five years of being set up or since its boundaries have been redefined.

Any adjustment should be approved by the provincial-level government and filed with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and other relevant organizations, the notice says.

It also stipulates the environmental impact evaluation on a construction project involving a nature reserve should include impacts on the reserve's functions and the flora and fauna under protection, as well as restoration plans to offset possible damage.

"Local residents should be encouraged to participate in nature reserve management and ecological conservation, to boost conservation and increase their income," Li said. "The government should increase investment in improving public services to local residents in nature reserves and compensate them for damage incurred by wild animals."

Major Nature Reserves in China

At the end of 2010, China had 2,588 nature reserves, covering 14.9 percent of its land area. These nature reserves have effectively protected more than 90 percent of land ecosystems, 85 percent of wild animals and 65 percent of higher plant species in China.

Mount Qomolangma Nature Reserve

Mount Qomolangma, known as Mount Everest in the West, is the highest mountain in the world, with an altitude of 8,844.43 meters. The reserve is situated on the border between China and Nepal. It has many extremely precious plants and animals.

Hoh Xil Nature Reserve

Hoh Xil Nature Reserve is located in Qinghai Province in northwest China. It has an area of 45,000 square km and an altitude of 4,000 to 5,000 meters above sea level. Its main protection targets are the unique wild plants and animals on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, especially the Tibetan antelope, one of China's most protected species.

Shennongjia Nature Reserve

Shennongjia Nature Reserve is located in the northwestern part of Hubei Province in central China, between Daba and Wudang mountains. In 1990, it was included in the Man and Biosphere Reserve Network of UNESCO. The nature reserve occupies 769.5 square km and is characterized by high mountains, steep slopes and deep valleys. It has many species under first-grade state protection.

Wolong Nature Reserve

Wolong Nature Reserve is located in Wenchuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The reserve covers an area of about 2,000 square km in Qionglai Mountains. It's China's largest sanctuary for giant pandas and other rare and precious animals and plants from the climatic fluctuations of the ice age.

Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve

Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve, with an area of 567 square km, is located in the counties of Jiangkou, Yinjiang and Songtao in the northeastern part of southwest China's Guizhou Province. In 1986, it was included in the Man and Biosphere Reserve Network of UNESCO.

Kanas Nature Reserve

The Kanas Nature Reserve lies in the northern part of Burqin County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China. Covering 2,200 square km, it has unspoiled original natural scenery and is considered a paradise for travelers and hikers.

Dinghu Mountain Nature Reserve

Founded in 1956, Dinghu Mountain Nature Reserve is the first nature reserve in China. It is located in Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province in south China. In 1979, it was included in the Man and Biosphere Reserve Network by UNESCO as a global conservation spot for the research of tropical and subtropical forest ecosystems. With an area of 11.33 square km, the reserve has abundant plant and animal resources.

Yancheng Rare Birds Nature Reserve

Located in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province in east China, Yancheng Rare Birds Nature Reserve covers 4,530 square km. It is mainly dedicated to the protection of the tidal wetland ecosystem and rare birds, especially the red-crowned crane. Every year, more than 3 million wild birds are sheltered there, making it a famous site for bird watching.

Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve

The Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve lies in Yunnan Province. With a total area of 2,410 square km, it features a rainforest with various plants, colorful flowers and unique animals. A number of animals such as the Asiatic elephant, Indo-Chinese tiger, peacock pheasant and green peafowl are listed in the top protection rank in China and the world. The reserve was accepted by UNESCO as a member of the Man and Biosphere Reserve Network in 1993.

Jigong Mountain Nature Reserve

Jigong Mountain Nature Reserve, covering about 30 square km, is located in Xinyang County, Henan Province in central China. Jigong Mountain is the watershed between the Yangtze and Huaihe rivers. It is a sanctuary for transitional types of subtropical forest vegetation and rare wild animals and plants.

(Source: China.org.cn)