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China builds a complete red line system to strengthen ecological conversation
By Chang Qin, People’s Daily
China had completed setting ecological conservation red lines nationwide, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) announced during an activity held on the World Earth Day recently in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian province.
The red lines cover areas that are ecologically vital and vulnerable and have important potential ecological value. These areas must be put under mandatory and rigorous protection.
China took the lead in proposing and implementing the red line system for ecological conservation.
The country has put no less than 3.15 million square km of its area, including no less than 3 million square km of land area, and no less than 150,000 square km of sea area, under the ecological conservation red lines.
It has formulated rules and implemented strict measures to strengthen monitoring and control of areas covered by the red lines, achieving effective management and control of ecological red line areas.
“The ecological conservation red lines are the bottom lines and lifelines for safeguarding national ecological security,” said Zhang Bing, an official with the MNR.
Feng Wenli, president of the China Land Surveying and Planning Institute, said China has made great progress in economic and social development since the launch of reform and opening-up, but ecological problems have become prominent bottlenecks hindering socio-economic development due to ecosystem degradation and the decline in capability for the supply of ecological products.
“Setting and strictly applying red lines for ecological conservation is a major strategic deployment made by China and an important institutional innovation in its ecological progress,” Feng said.
As the main department responsible for China’s ecological conservation, the MNR, together with departments including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, organized the assessment, adjustment, and demarcation of ecological conservation red lines and completed setting the lines for the first time according to the national territorial space planning outline (2021-2035) and relevant plans at the provincial, municipal and county levels.
In Harbin city, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, around 10,700 square km, or about 20 percent of its territorial area, is demarcated within the red lines, including major mountain ranges such as the Lesser Hinggan Mountains and the Zhangguangcai Mountains, as well as the mainstream and tributaries of the Songhua River, other rivers, lakes, wetlands and other areas, with the main aim of improving ecological functions including water and soil conservation, water source conservation and biodiversity preservation.
Jiamusi city in Heilongjiang puts over 12 percent of its territorial area under the protection of the red lines, including areas that are critical in environmental function, ecologically sensitive and vulnerable, as well as natural protected areas that include national parks, nature reserves and natural parks.
Southwest China’s Yunnan province has no less than 113,200 square km, or over 29 percent of its territorial area in the ecological conservation red lines. The province’s protected areas, excluding some areas of scenic areas there, are within the red lines, with 15 typical ecosystems including the tropical rainforest ecosystem being systematically protected. The red lines cover the habitats and migration channels of more than 90 percent of key state-protected plants and 80 percent of key state-protected animals in Yunnan, further improving the function of ecosystems.
Feng said the ecological conservation red lines mainly cover the ecological shield area of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, key ecological areas along the Yellow River, key ecological areas along the Yangtze River, northeast forest belts, northern sand prevention belts, hilly areas in south China, and coastal areas. The red lines cover typical terrestrial ecosystem types including most of the natural forests, grasslands and wetlands, typical marine ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds, as well as the vast majority of uninhabited islands.
No ratio targets of areas have been preset during the process of drawing the red lines. In some provincial-level regions, the ecological red line areas account for more than 50 percent of the regions’ territorial areas and in other provincial-level areas, that percentage is less than 10 percent, said Feng.
At present, provincial regions, including Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Shanghai, Shandong, Anhui and Sichuan, have rolled out detailed rules for the controls of the ecological conservation red lines. The rest of Chinese provincial regions are soliciting public opinion for similar rules or are about to introduce ones to strengthen the supervision of the red lines.
“To strictly enforce ecological conservation red lines, we need to improve long-term mechanisms,” Zhang said.
He added that the MNR will foster stronger collaboration between the ministry and local governments, regularly conduct conservation performance evaluations of the red lines, strengthen the capabilities for dynamic monitoring and early warning, accelerate the revision of relevant laws and regulations and increase publicity, so as to build a modern China where humanity and nature exist in harmony.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing the rising issue of illicit drug abuse among Nigeria’s youth. The project, titled “NAFDAC-Catch Them Young Consumer Safety Club,” was officially inaugurated at Ajibode High School in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday. The initiative, which targets secondary school students in the South-West zone, seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and empower young people to make informed decisions regarding their health and well-being.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, the NAFDAC Director for the South-West zone, emphasized the importance of educating the younger generation on the dangers of drug abuse. She highlighted that the campaign is essential for securing Nigeria’s future, with a strong focus on educating students about the negative impact of drug abuse, including the misuse of alcohol.
The “Catch Them Young” initiative, which kicked off in January in the South-West zone, aims to engage secondary school students in a meaningful way, educating them about the dangers of drug abuse, mental health risks, and the consequences of high-risk sexual behavior often associated with substance misuse. According to Adeyeye, drug abuse among teenagers has far-reaching effects, contributing to poor academic performance and mental health disorders. By taking the campaign directly to schools, NAFDAC hopes to catch young people before they fall into destructive habits, ensuring they understand the risks of drug use and its long-term consequences.
The agency’s goal is clear: to foster a future generation of Nigerians who are not only equipped with knowledge but also empowered to demand integrity and ethical behavior in their communities. “We are not just teaching them about drug abuse,” Adeyeye explained. “We are teaching them how to make informed choices that will positively shape their futures and prevent lives of addiction and destruction.”
By re-establishing the National Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) in schools, NAFDAC is working hand-in-hand with teachers and educational institutions to create a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s drug abuse crisis. The initiative’s overarching goal is to reduce the growing prevalence of substance misuse by fostering a culture of responsibility, where the youth are not only educated but also motivated to be active participants in the fight against drug abuse.
With this innovative approach, NAFDAC is not just addressing the symptoms of drug abuse but is focusing on prevention through education and community involvement. The hope is that, by targeting the youth early, Nigeria can curb the tide of illicit drug use and its damaging effects on society. This initiative represents a proactive and long-term solution to a pressing national issue, positioning Nigeria’s youth as the leaders in the battle against drug abuse and its related challenges.
A group of armed robbers, believed to be illegal miners, launched a raid on MI Wushishi Estate in Minna, Niger State, on Saturday, stealing valuables and cash from six flats. The attack, which occurred around 2 a.m., lasted for more than an hour without any intervention from security forces.
The estate, which houses over 700 flats, has been repeatedly targeted by criminal gangs linked to illegal mining activities in the area, which is known for its rich gold deposits. Residents expressed growing concern over these attacks, which have left them feeling unsafe.
One resident, Abdullahi Abubakar, recalled a similar robbery in November when multiple homes in the estate were ransacked. “The illegal miners have made it impossible for us to live peacefully,” he said.
Dan Yaya, the son of a former Head of Service in the state, shared his frightening experience during the latest raid. He described how the robbers, after entering the compound, threatened his family and demanded money. He was forced to hand over N29,000 and mobile phones. Yaya also suspected that the robbers had inside knowledge of the estate’s layout, as one of them wore a mask and appeared familiar with the area.
In response, Commissioner for Homeland Security, Muhammad Bello, confirmed the robbery and assured that security agencies were actively addressing the situation. However, the Niger State Police Command spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, stated that no formal report of the incident had been filed with the police.
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CSNGG Congratulates Dr. Sanusi Mohammed on the Three years Elongation of His Tenure as NFF General Secretary
The Civil Society Network for Good Governance (CSNGG) in a press statement by its President , Barr. Adefila Kamal congratulates Dr. Sanusi Mohammed on the well-deserved elongation of his tenure as the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), commencing from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027. He was first appointed in 2015.
Adefila said, Over the years, CSNGG has had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, whose leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the development of Nigerian football have been evident in his performance. His reappointment is a clear reflection of his track record and the confidence reposed in him by stakeholders in the sports sector.
The statement further states that Dr. Sanusi’s stewardship has been instrumental in fostering progress and stability within Nigerian football, including the growth of grassroots initiatives, improvement of national team performances, and the enhancement of administrative structures within the NFF. His leadership has provided a firm foundation upon which Nigerian football continues to rise, both on the continent and globally.
The Civil Society Network for Good Governance said it has no doubt that Dr. Sanusi Mohammed will continue to give his best in this new chapter, as he has always demonstrated excellence, passion, and integrity in service to the nation. “We remain committed to partnering with the NFF and its leadership to ensure Nigerian football achieves greater heights”.
Once again, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Sanusi Mohammed and wish him a highly successful tenure ahead.
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