Hot word: Ban on catching wild birds

The Guangdong provincial government has banned the catching of wild birds over the next five years.

Guangdong is the major migration route and gathering place for migrant birds. In recent years, Guangdong forestry departments have launched several special campaigns to crack down on illegal bird trade. Since August 2017, Guangdong province has recovered over 30,607 birds and cleared away 35,263 meters of bird-catching nets.

During the ban on the hunting of wild birds from Jan 1, 2019, to Dec 31, 2023, bird-catching devices are prohibited within Guangdong province in an allaround way. Also, any online trading platform or offline market is prohibited from trading in bird-catching devices.

Catching birds for special purposes including scientific research, aviation security or epidemic prevention should be dealt with according to relevant laws and regulations.

The construction and management of nature protection areas, including natural reserves, forest parks and wetland parks, is to be strengthened in order to build a diversified and sound natural protection system with strong ecological effects.

The sites for construction projects should avoid natural protected areas and bird migration routes.

After the expiration of the hunting ban, the provincial government will decide whether to extend the hunting period according to the actual situation.