中国首部保护“绿色国宝”专门法规来了！

China’s first draft regulation on the protection of ancient and rare trees was approved by the State Council on last Friday.

1月3日，国务院常务会议审议通过了我国首部《古树名木保护条例(草案)》（以下简称《条例》）。

A three-tiered protection system will be implemented. Ancient trees over 500 years old will receive the highest level protection while those aged between 300 and 500 years will be under first-level protection and those aged between 100 and 300 years will be under second-level protection.

《条例》将实行三级分级保护机制。树龄500年以上的古树实行特级保护，树龄300年以上不满500年的古树实行一级保护，树龄100年以上不满300年的古树实行二级保护。

Under the regulation, individuals found guilty of unauthorized felling, transplanting, selling or transporting of ancient and rare trees may face fines of up to 1 million yuan ($136,500).

根据《条例》规定，任何单位或个人擅自砍伐、移植、买卖或运输古树名木，最高将被处以100万元（约合13.65万美元）的罚款。

In recent years, several provinces such as Sichuan, Hunan, and Hainan have introduced measures to protect ancient and rare trees.

近年来，四川、湖南和海南等几个省份都出台了保护古树名木的措施。

Since March 2022, construction companies in Hunan Province must bear the costs of restoration and maintenance if their projects cause any damage to ancient and rare trees.

自2022年3月起，湖南就规定：相关建筑公司若建设项目对古树名木生长造成损害的，建设单位应当承担相应的复壮、养护费用。

Hainan issued its local regulation on Nov. 1, 2013. According to data from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the province is home to 17,864 ancient and rare trees, showcasing its rich green resources.

海南省早在2013年11月1日就颁布了地方性相关法规。国家林业和草原局数据显示，海南省共有古树名木17864株，绿色资源丰富、树种多样。

In addition, Shaanxi is a major province for ancient and rare trees, with a total of 727,300 such trees, including 715,900 in 271 ancient tree clusters. Notably, all five of China’s ancient trees over 5,000 years old are located in the province.

此外，陕西也是古树名木大省，现存古树名木72.73万棵，其中包含古树群271个共71.59万棵。值得一提的是，全国5棵树龄5000年以上古树名木均在陕西。

The regulation defines ancient trees as those over 100 years old and rare trees as those with significant historical, cultural, or scientific value. An ancient tree cluster refers to a group of more than 10 ancient trees growing close together in a specific area, forming a unique habitat.

《条例》规定，树龄在100年以上的树木为古树，名木则是指具有重要历史、文化、科学研究价值的树木。古树群，则是指在一定区域范围内由10棵以上古树组成、形成特定生境的古树群体。