State Forestry Administration: reclamation and occupation of lakes and wetlands is strictly prohibited

The State Forestry Administration recently issued a notice requiring that reclamation and occupation of lakes and wetlands be strictly prohibited.

The reclamation occupation is an important factor leading to the rapid shrinkage of lakes and wetlands in China, the notice said. At present, the phenomenon of lake wetlands occupied by reclamation in some places is still banned repeatedly, which is a serious threat to the ecological security of wetlands in our country.

The State Forestry Administration requires that forestry authorities at all levels, in conjunction with relevant departments, take effective measures to strictly prohibit unauthorized reclamation and occupation of lakes and wetlands and maintain the integrity of the lake wetland ecosystem. It is necessary to organize forces to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the situation of lake wetlands occupied by reclamation, and establish information files on the time, use, location, area, and ownership of lake wetlands occupied by reclamation, so as to lay a good foundation for further strengthening the protection and restoration of lake wetlands.

At the same time, the protection system should be improved. Local forestry authorities at all levels should strive to create conditions to effectively protect lakes and wetlands with important ecological functions by establishing nature reserves, wetland parks, nature conservation areas, and multi-purpose management areas of wetlands, and further expand the protected area of lakes and wetlands. While carrying out protection, it is necessary to explore and establish a rational utilization model of lake wetlands.

The circular is clear and resolutely crack down on reclamation and occupation of lakes and wetlands. From May 2015 to December 2015, provincial forestry authorities should deploy special actions to combat the occupation of lakes and wetlands by reclamation.