China integrating conservation areas into red lines for stricter and unified management

In response to drastic land use changes and inefficient management, in 2015 the Chinese government launched a strategic project entitled the Delineation and Defense of Ecological Protection Red Lines (EPRLs). The purpose of EPRLs was to integrate all conservation areas into a system of unified and strict management. This report introduces the background, content, and management policies of the EPRLs system. EPRLs are either those natural spaces with the greatest importance or the most vulnerability and sensitivity, and they are the minimum area needed for the maintenance of national ecological security. The Guidance for Delineation of EPRLs identified the scope of development prohibited zones and other areas under protection, and assessed areas with important ecological functions, vulnerability or sensitivity. Provincial governments are currently carrying out the delineation of EPRLs and will eventually issue and execute the scheme of EPRLs, while the central government is drafting a complete set of management policies including permitted industrial activity, monitoring and regulation, and ecological compensation.