Reply to the experts

Link to the project "Miracles Greenhouse, Zürich"


Dear experts of International Firefly Scientist Network,

We have received your letter on “Commercial overharvesting of fireflies”.
We appreciate your attention and support to the biodiversity conservation
of China. Minister Chen Jining pays high attention to the matter. He
required us to organize relevant investigation and study and entrusted me
for reply.

The Chinese government has always attached great importance to
biodiversity conservation. China has earnestly implemented the Law on
Protection of Wildlife and developed a series of policies and measures on
biodiversity conservation. China has established the National Commission
for Biodiversity Conservation, launched China’s National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan (2011-2030) and strictly fulfilled relevant
obligations for implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
All regions and departments in China make concerted actions and obtain
significant achievements. You may visit the websites of Ministry of
Environmental Protection and State Forestry Administration to get more
specific information.

Relevant departments have already paid attention to firefly conservation
and they have taken some active measures. State Forestry Administration
of China called on “Protect fireflies and refuse cruel romance” through
microblog. Some local law enforcement teams have investigated the
organizers of Firefly Theme Park and punished those who failed to provide
relevant certificates such as the License for Domestication and Breeding
of Wild Animals, and those who were suspected of illegal purchasing and
utilizing of wildlife including fireflies. In addition, the public and
environmental NGOs also carried out many activities on rejecting
overharvesting and commercial release of fireflies.
In the future, we will cooperate with other departments to carry out
basic investigations and monitoring, study and develop protection
measures and strengthen the habitat conservation of fireflies. Moreover,
we will study and promote the ecological protection mode of “habitat
conservation-scientific research-sightseeing-science popularization”,
conduct public education activities on protection of fireflies and raise
public awareness in this field.

We also welcome continuous attention and support of your network to
biodiversity conservation in China as well as your constructive comments
and suggestions. 

Sincerely,


Cheng Lifeng


Director General of Biodiversity Conservation Office
Ministry of Environmental Protection
The People’s Republic of China