(Promulgated by Decree No. 167 of the State Council of the People's Republic of China on October 9, 1994) %%

January 8, 2011, "Decision of the State Council on the Repeal and Amendment of Certain Administrative Regulations" first revisionJanuary 8, 2011, "Decision of the State Council on the Abolishment and Amendment of Certain Administrative Regulations" first revision.

January 8, 2011, "Decision of the State Council on the Repeal and Amendment of Certain Administrative Regulations" first revisionThe Second Revision on October 7, 2017, under the "State Council Decision on Amending Certain Administrative Regulations"

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1These regulations are established to strengthen the construction and management of nature reserves and to protect the natural environment and natural resources.

Article 2The natural reserves referred to in these Regulations are areas of land, inland waters, or sea areas that are delineated by law to provide special protection and management for conservation targets, including representative natural ecosystems, natural concentrated distribution areas of rare and endangered wild animal and plant species, and natural relics of special significance.

Article 3The establishment and management of natural reserves within the territory of the People's Republic of China and other sea areas under its jurisdiction must comply with these Regulations.

Article 4The state adopts economic and technological policies and measures conducive to the development of nature reserves, incorporating their development plans into the national economic and social development plans.

Article 5The establishment and management of nature reserves shall properly handle the relationship with local economic development and the production and daily life of residents.

Article 6The administrative agency of a nature reserve or its competent administrative department may accept donations from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals for the construction and management of the nature reserve.

Article 7People's governments at or above the county level shall strengthen their leadership over the work of nature reserves.

All units and individuals are obligated to protect the natural environment and resources within nature reserves and have the right to report or file complaints against those who damage or encroach upon these reserves.

Article 8The state implements a management system for nature reserves that combines comprehensive management with sector-specific management.

The administrative department for environmental protection under the State Council is responsible for the comprehensive management of nature reserves nationwide.

The relevant administrative departments under the State Council, such as forestry, agriculture, geology and minerals, water resources, and marine affairs, oversee the nature reserves within their respective areas of responsibility.

The establishment and responsibilities of local government departments responsible for nature reserve management at or above the county level shall be determined by the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government based on local conditions.

Article 9The people's government shall award units and individuals who have made outstanding achievements in the construction and management of nature reserves or in related scientific research.

Chapter 2: Establishment of Nature Reserves

Article 10Nature reserves shall be established under any of the following conditions:

(1) Typical natural geographical regions, representative natural ecosystem regions, and similar natural ecosystem regions that have been damaged but can be restored through conservation;

(2) Natural habitats with concentrated distributions of rare and endangered wild animal and plant species;

(3) Marine areas, coasts, islands, wetlands, inland waters, forests, grasslands, and deserts with special conservation value;

(4) Natural heritage sites with significant scientific and cultural value, including geological structures, famous karst caves, fossil distribution areas, glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, etc.;

(5) Other natural areas that require special protection as approved by the State Council or the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under the central government.

Article 11Nature reserves are categorized into national nature reserves and local nature reserves.

Nature reserves that are of typical significance domestically or internationally, have major scientific impact internationally, or possess special scientific research value shall be designated as national nature reserves.

Except for those designated as national nature reserves, other nature reserves with typical significance or important scientific research value shall be designated as local nature reserves. Local nature reserves may be managed at different levels. Specific measures shall be formulated by the relevant administrative departments for nature reserves under the State Council or by the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government based on actual circumstances, and reported to the administrative department for environmental protection under the State Council for the record.

Article 12The establishment of a national nature reserve shall be proposed by the people's government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government where the nature reserve is located or by the relevant administrative department of nature reserves under the State Council. After evaluation by the National Nature Reserve Evaluation Committee, the administrative department for environmental protection under the State Council shall coordinate and submit its approval recommendation to the State Council for approval.

The establishment of a local-level nature reserve shall be proposed by the competent administrative department for nature reserves of the people's government of the county, autonomous county, city, or autonomous prefecture where the reserve is located, or by the relevant provincial, autonomous regional, or directly administered municipal people's government. After evaluation by the local-level nature reserve evaluation committee, the competent environmental protection administrative department of the provincial, autonomous regional, or directly administered municipal people's government shall coordinate and propose approval recommendations, which shall then be submitted to the provincial, autonomous regional, or directly administered municipal people's government for approval. The approval must also be reported to the competent environmental protection administrative department of the State Council and the relevant administrative departments for nature reserves under the State Council for the record.

For the establishment of a nature reserve spanning two or more administrative regions, the application shall be jointly proposed by the people's governments of the relevant administrative regions upon reaching consensus, and the approval process shall follow the procedures specified in the preceding two paragraphs.

The establishment of a marine nature reserve must be approved by the State Council.

Article 13Applications for the establishment of nature reserves shall be submitted by filling out the application form in accordance with relevant national regulations.

Article 14The scope and boundaries of a nature reserve shall be determined by the people's government that approves its establishment, clearly demarcated, and publicly announced.

The determination of the scope and boundaries of a nature reserve shall take into account the integrity and appropriateness of the protected objects, as well as the needs of local economic development and the production and livelihood of residents.

Article 15The revocation of a nature reserve, as well as adjustments or changes to its nature, scope, or boundaries, shall be subject to approval by the people's government that originally approved the establishment of the nature reserve.

No unit or individual may arbitrarily relocate the boundary markers of a nature reserve.

Article 16Nature reserves shall be named according to the following methods:

National Nature Reserve: The name of the location where the nature reserve is situated, followed by"National Nature Reserve."

Local Nature Reserve: The name of the location where the nature reserve is situated, followed by"Local Nature Reserve."

Nature reserves with special protected objects may have the names of these special protected objects added after the place name where the nature reserve is located.

Article 17The competent environmental protection administrative department of the State Council shall, jointly with relevant competent administrative departments for nature reserves under the State Council, formulate a national development plan for nature reserves based on the investigation and assessment of the national natural environment and natural resource conditions, which shall be submitted to the State Council for approval and implementation after comprehensive balancing by the State Council's planning department.

The management agency of the nature reserve or the competent administrative department of the nature reserve shall organize the preparation of the construction plan for the nature reserve, incorporate it into the national, local, or departmental investment plan according to the prescribed procedures, and organize its implementation.

Article 18A nature reserve may be divided into a core zone, buffer zone, and experimental zone.

Areas within the nature reserve that contain intact natural ecosystems and concentrated habitats of rare or endangered wildlife and plants shall be designated as core zones, where entry is prohibited for any unit or individual; except as permitted under Article 27 of these regulations, no scientific research activities are allowed to be conducted therein.

A buffer zone of a certain area may be designated around the core area, where only scientific research and observation activities are permitted.

An experimental zone may be established outside the buffer zone, allowing for scientific experiments, teaching practices, observation tours, tourism, and the domestication and breeding of rare or endangered wildlife species.

When deemed necessary by the people's government that originally approved the establishment of the nature reserve, a peripheral protection belt of a certain area can be designated around the nature reserve.

Chapter III Management of Nature Reserves

Article 19The technical specifications and standards for the management of national nature reserves shall be formulated by the administrative department for environmental protection under the State Council in conjunction with relevant administrative departments for nature reserves under the State Council.

The relevant competent administrative departments for nature reserves under the State Council may, in accordance with their respective responsibilities, formulate technical regulations for the management of various types of nature reserves, which shall be submitted to the competent administrative department for environmental protection under the State Council for record.

Article 20The competent administrative departments for environmental protection of the people's governments at or above the county level shall have the authority to supervise and inspect the management of various nature reserves within their respective administrative regions. The relevant competent administrative departments for nature reserves of the people's governments at or above the county level shall have the authority to supervise and inspect the management of the nature reserves under their jurisdiction. The units under inspection shall truthfully report the situation and provide necessary materials. Inspectors shall keep confidential the technical and business secrets of the units under inspection.

Article 21National-level nature reserves shall be administered by the competent administrative department for nature reserves of the people's government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government where they are located, or by the competent administrative department for nature reserves of the State Council. Local-level nature reserves shall be administered by the competent administrative department for nature reserves of the local people's government at or above the county level where they are located.

The competent administrative department for nature reserves shall establish specialized management agencies within the nature reserves, staffed with professional technical personnel, to be responsible for the specific management of the nature reserves.

Article 22The main responsibilities of the nature reserve management agencies are:

(1) Implement national laws, regulations, and policies related to nature conservation;

(2) Formulate various management systems for nature reserves and oversee their unified administration;

(3) Investigate natural resources, establish archives, organize environmental monitoring, and protect the natural environment and resources within the reserve;

(4) Organize or assist relevant departments in conducting scientific research on nature reserves;

(5) Carry out public education on nature conservation;

(6) Organize visits, tourism activities, etc., without compromising the protection of the natural environment and resources within the nature reserve.

Article 23 %% The funds required for the management of nature reserves shall be allocated by the local people's governments at or above the county level where the nature reserves are located. The state shall provide appropriate financial subsidies for the management of national-level nature reserves. %% Article 24 %% The public security authorities in the areas where nature reserves are located may, as needed, establish public security outposts within the nature reserves to maintain public order.The funds required for the management of nature reserves shall be allocated by the local people's government at or above the county level where the nature reserve is located. The state provides appropriate financial subsidies for the management of national-level nature reserves.

Article 24The public security authorities in the locality of the nature reserve may, as needed, establish public security outposts within the nature reserve to maintain public order within the reserve.

Article 25 %% Units, residents, and individuals approved to enter the nature reserve within its boundaries must comply with all management regulations of the nature reserve and accept the management of the nature reserve's administrative authority.All units, residents within the nature reserve, and personnel entering the reserve with approval must comply with the various management regulations of the nature reserve and accept the management of the nature reserve's administrative agency.

Article 26Activities such as logging, grazing, hunting, fishing, herb collection, land reclamation, burning, mining, quarrying, and sand extraction are prohibited within nature reserves, unless otherwise stipulated by laws and administrative regulations.

Article 27Entry into the core zones of nature reserves is prohibited for all individuals. For scientific research purposes, if entry into the core zones is necessary for scientific observation and investigation activities, an application and activity plan must be submitted in advance to the administrative agency of the nature reserve for approval. In cases involving entry into the core zones of national-level nature reserves, approval must also be obtained from the relevant administrative department of the provincial, autonomous regional, or municipal government responsible for nature reserves.

Where it is genuinely necessary to relocate original residents from the core zones of nature reserves, the local people's government where the nature reserve is located shall arrange for their proper resettlement.

Article 28Tourism and production or business activities are prohibited in the buffer zones of nature reserves. For the purpose of teaching or scientific research, if it is necessary to enter the buffer zone of a nature reserve to conduct non-destructive scientific research, teaching practice, or specimen collection activities, an application and activity plan shall be submitted in advance to the management authority of the nature reserve and approved by them.

Units or individuals engaged in the activities mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall submit copies of their activity results to the management authority of the nature reserve.

Article 29Visit and tourism activities conducted in the experimental zones of nature reserves shall be based on a plan formulated by the management authority of the nature reserve, which must align with the management objectives of the nature reserve.

Organizing visits or tourism activities in nature reserves must strictly adhere to the plans specified in the preceding provisions and enhance management. Units and individuals entering nature reserves for visits or tourism must comply with the management of the reserve administration.

It is strictly prohibited to operate visit or tourism projects that conflict with the conservation objectives of the nature reserve.

Article 30For nature reserves without internal zoning, management shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations regarding core zones and buffer zones.

Article 31Foreign nationals entering a nature reserve shall submit an activity plan in advance to the administrative agency of the nature reserve for approval. For entering national-level nature reserves, approval must be obtained from the relevant administrative departments responsible for environmental protection, marine affairs, fisheries, etc., of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government, each according to their respective duties.

Foreigners entering a nature reserve shall abide by the laws, regulations, and provisions concerning nature reserves and shall not engage in activities such as specimen collection without approval.

Article 32In the core and buffer zones of nature reserves, no production facilities may be constructed. In the experimental zones of nature reserves, no production facilities that pollute the environment, damage resources, or disrupt landscapes may be built; for other projects, pollutant emissions must not exceed the standards set by national and local regulations. For facilities already constructed in the experimental zones of nature reserves that exceed the emission standards set by national and local regulations, remediation must be carried out within a specified time limit; where damage has been caused, remedial measures must be taken.

Projects constructed in the peripheral protection zones of a nature reserve must not damage the environmental quality within the reserve; for any damage already caused, remediation shall be carried out within a specified time limit.

The decision on time-limited treatment is made by the authorities specified by laws and regulations, and the enterprises and institutions subject to such treatment must complete the required tasks on schedule.

Article 33In the event of an accident or other sudden incident that causes or may cause pollution or damage to a nature reserve, the responsible unit or individual must immediately take measures to address the situation, promptly notify potentially affected units and residents, and report to the nature reserve management authority, the local environmental protection administrative department, and the nature reserve administrative department for investigation and handling.

Chapter IV Legal Liability %% (1) Unauthorized removal or destruction of boundary markers of a nature reserve; %% (2) Entering a nature reserve without approval or failing to comply with the management of the administrative authority within the reserve; %% (3) Units or individuals approved to conduct scientific research, teaching practice, or specimen collection in the buffer zone of a nature reserve fail to submit copies of their activity results to the administrative authority of the reserve.

Article 34Any unit or individual violating the provisions of these regulations by committing any of the following acts shall be ordered to rectify by the nature reserve management authority and may be fined according to the severity of the circumstances:a fine ranging from 100 yuan to 5,000 yuan.

(1) Unauthorized relocation or destruction of boundary markers of nature reserves;

(2) Unauthorized entry into nature reserves or failure to comply with management by the administrative agencies within the reserves;

(3) Units or individuals engaged in scientific research, teaching practice, or specimen collection within the buffer zones of nature reserves with approval, who fail to submit copies of their activity results to the administrative agencies of the nature reserves.

Article 35Any unit or individual that violates the provisions of these Regulations by engaging in activities such as logging, grazing, hunting, fishing, herb gathering, land reclamation, burning, mining, quarrying, or sand digging in a nature reserve shall, in addition to being subject to penalties as provided by relevant laws and administrative regulations, have their illegal gains confiscated by the competent administrative department of nature reserves under the people's government at or above the county level or by the nature reserve management agency authorized thereby. They shall also be ordered to cease the illegal activities, restore the original state within a specified time limit, or take other remedial measures. If damage is caused to the nature reserve, a fine ranging from 300 yuan to 10,000 yuan may be imposed.

Article 36If a nature reserve management agency violates the provisions of these Regulations by refusing supervision and inspection by the environmental protection administrative department or the competent administrative department of nature reserves, or by falsifying information during inspections, it shall be subject to penalties by the environmental protection administrative department or the competent administrative department of nature reserves under the people's government at or above the county level.A fine of not less than 300 yuan but not more than 3,000 yuan.

Article 37Where the management authority of a nature reserve violates the provisions of these Regulations by committing any of the following acts, the competent administrative department of nature reserves under the people's government at or above the county level shall order it to make corrections within a specified time limit; the directly responsible personnel shall be given administrative sanctions by their respective work units or the higher authorities:

(1) Conducting sightseeing or tourism activities without formulating a plan or where the formulated plan is inconsistent with the management objectives of the nature reserve;

(2) Operating sightseeing or tourism projects that are inconsistent with the protection orientation of the nature reserve.

(c) failing to conduct visiting or tourism activities in accordance with the formulated plan;

(4) Illegally approving personnel to enter the core zone of a nature reserve, or unlawfully permitting foreigners to enter a nature reserve;

(5) Other acts of abuse of power, dereliction of duty, or favoritism and misconduct.

Article 38Those who violate the provisions of these regulations and cause losses to nature reserves shall be ordered by the relevant administrative department of nature reserves under the people's government at or above the county level to compensate for the losses.

Article 39Anyone who obstructs the administrative personnel of nature reserves from performing their duties shall be penalized by public security authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Public Security Administration Punishments Law of the People's Republic of China; if the circumstances are serious enough to constitute a crime, criminal liability shall be investigated according to law.

Article 40Where any violation of the provisions of these Regulations causes a serious accident of pollution or damage to a nature reserve, leading to grave consequences such as heavy losses of public or private property or human casualties, and a crime is constituted, the persons in charge who are directly responsible and other persons who are directly responsible shall be investigated for criminal responsibility according to law.

Article 41Where any administrator of a nature reserve abuses his power, neglects his duty, or engages in malpractices for personal gain, and a crime is constituted, he shall be investigated for criminal responsibility according to law; if the circumstances are minor and no crime is constituted, he shall be given administrative sanctions by the unit to which he belongs or by the competent authority at a higher level.

Chapter V Supplementary Provisions

Article 42The competent administrative department of the State Council in charge of nature reserves may formulate management measures for specific types of nature reserves in accordance with these Regulations.

Article 43The People's Governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government may formulate implementing measures in accordance with these Regulations.

Article 44These Regulations shall come into force onDecember 1, 1994.