Expect an extension of the public notice period! The consolidation of tens of millions of hectares of national nature reserves

 

On October 15, the State Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Natural Resources jointly released the "Public Notice on the Integration, Optimization and Adjustment of National Nature Reserves", announcing that the original 9,240 nature reserves nationwide had been integrated into 6,736, with the area of protected areas reduced from 20,310,980 hectares to 18,523,161 hectares.

At present, the National Nature Reserve Integration and Optimization Program, led by the State Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Natural Resources, together with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other relevant departments, has been formed on the basis of the proposals submitted by the provincial people's governments and the integration and optimization program has passed the joint review of the departments and has entered the publicity stage.

The integration and optimization of national nature reserves involves various types of reserves, including nature reserves, scenic spots, geoparks, forest parks, marine special protected areas at all levels, as well as national parks, wetland parks, desert parks and other types of protected areas.

So tens of millions of hectares of nature reserves consolidation, will involve the country's original 9240 nature reserves, as well as the protection of many rare species, but the period of publicity is only five working days (October 15 - October 22) —— the publicity period is too short! According to the national “Interim Regulations on Major Administrative Decision-making Procedures”, Article 15 stipulates that: (major administrative decision-making matters) the period of public consultation is generally not less than 30 days; due to the urgency of the situation and other reasons need to shorten the period of time, the public consultation should be explained.

The planning adjustment of national nature reserves has strict requirements. But this time the national nature reserve adjustment, many national nature reserve area adjustment is also in the area of its transfer into the area and transfer out of the area, have been strictly audited and publicized? What will be the impact of their adjustment on the unique habitats and rare species? And is the 18-page document on the area of mineral rights transferred out of the nature reserves reasonable?

This major change is likely to have a direct impact on the protection of rare plants and animals, and it's hoped that the relevant departments will extend the public notice period for such a major adjustment.

Original Chinese Article: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/9azW4mctcvOgI7WcWpgdjQ

Translated by: Samantha  

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