A senior Chinese official has called for better social awareness in
protecting biodiversity on the eve of today's International
Biodiversity Day.
Wang Dehui, vice-director of the Department of Nature under the
State Environmental Protection Administration said that
environmental protection was vital.
The theme of the International Day of Biodiversity is "Biodiversity
and poverty alleviation -- challenges for sustainable
development."
He
cited recent inconclusive research from the Chinese Academy of
Sciences in South China's Guangdong Province, where the SARS
epidemic began.
According to the research, the epidemic may possibly have come from
an animal killed and supplied to a local restaurant.
The research, even though not finally confirmed yet, should have
sounded a warning in the ears of those abusing wild animals, said
Wang, disclosing his office will organize the country's first mass
activity to protest eating wild animals on June 5, World
Environment Day.
The eating of wild animal reflects a severe challenge confronting
China in protecting biodiversity. About one quarter of the world's
endangered species are in China.
"Luckily, the central government has attached greater importance
with the protection of biodiversity,'' he said.
Wang, who is also the head of the Chinese Government's Coordinating
Group on Implementing the International Biodiversity Protection
Protocol, disclosed the country will step up its investment and
legal efforts to protect biodiversity.
The 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05) of the State Environmental
Protection Administration promised a massive investment of US$6.1
billion in this field.
The money will be used for the establishment of more nature
reserves, an effective way to protect endangered species and the
bio-environment, as well as related skills training and
publicity.
By
the end of last year, the Chinese mainland had established 1,757
nature reserves with a total area of 1.3 million square
kilometers.
With nearly half of the target period already passed, China has
achieved "congratulatory progress'' and is working actively to
secure the rest of the huge fund, the result of which should be
"optimistic,'' said Wang.
Wang said a total of 20 different departments of the Chinese
Government are working closely to establish a complete mechanism
effectively monitoring and protecting biodiversity.
"One remarkable result of this co-operation might be the production
of more special laws and regulations in the regard, such as one
against the invasion of foreign species,'' he said.
The country loses over 50 billion yuan (US$6 billion) as a result
of this.
And the Chinese Government will host a range of colorful activities
to mark International Biodiversity Day.
(China Daily May 23, 2003)