The law on ecological conservation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, passed at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on April 26, will take effect on Sept 1, 2023.

The law addresses specific issues regarding ecological protection on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and meets the expectations of the people on the plateau. It will be of great significance in consolidating foundations, maintaining stable expectations and delivering long-term benefits in ecological conservation on the plateau.

The law, comprising 63 articles in seven chapters, gives top priority to ecological protection, focuses on major contradictions, critical issues and special conditions, and highlights integrated protection and systematic restoration of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands, deserts and glaciers on the plateau.

In order to enhance the protection of biodiversity on the plateau, the law makes the following stipulations:

I. The country should strengthen biodiversity protection on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and implement major biodiversity conservation projects.

II. Nature reserves, such as national parks, should be established in accordance with the law in areas that see natural aggregated distribution of rare, endangered or unique wild animals and plants as well as in their important habitats.

III. Surveys on wildlife species should be conducted and protection of their important habitats should be enhanced.

IV. The monitoring network for biodiversity should be improved and more research on major scientific and technological issues in the field of biodiversity should be carried out.