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,，國務(wù)院常務(wù)會(huì)議審議通過了我國首部《古樹名木保護(hù)條例(草案)》（以下簡稱《條例》）,。

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.

《條例》將實(shí)行三級分級保護(hù)機(jī)制,。樹齡500年以上的古樹實(shí)行特級保護(hù),，樹齡300年以上不滿500年的古樹實(shí)行一級保護(hù),，樹齡100年以上不滿300年的古樹實(shí)行二級保護(hù),。

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).

根據(jù)《條例》規(guī)定,，任何單位或個(gè)人擅自砍伐、移植,、買賣或運(yùn)輸古樹名木,，最高將被處以100萬元（約合13.65萬美元）的罰款。

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

近年來,，四川,、湖南和海南等幾個(gè)省份都出臺(tái)了保護(hù)古樹名木的措施。

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,，湖南就規(guī)定：相關(guān)建筑公司若建設(shè)項(xiàng)目對古樹名木生長造成損害的,，建設(shè)單位應(yīng)當(dāng)承擔(dān)相應(yīng)的復(fù)壯、養(yǎng)護(hù)費(fèi)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日就頒布了地方性相關(guān)法規(guī),。國家林業(yè)和草原局?jǐn)?shù)據(jù)顯示，海南省共有古樹名木17864株,，綠色資源豐富,、樹種多樣。

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,，陜西也是古樹名木大省,，現(xiàn)存古樹名木72.73萬棵，其中包含古樹群271個(gè)共71.59萬棵,。值得一提的是,，全國5棵樹齡5000年以上古樹名木均在陜西。

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.

《條例》規(guī)定,，樹齡在100年以上的樹木為古樹,，名木則是指具有重要?dú)v史、文化,、科學(xué)研究價(jià)值的樹木,。古樹群,，則是指在一定區(qū)域范圍內(nèi)由10棵以上古樹組成、形成特定生境的古樹群體,。