(Promulgated by the Ministry of Forestry on July 6, 1985)

Article 1 The natural reserve is an important base protecting natural resources and the natural environment, rescuing endangered species and conducting scientific research. It is of great significance for the development of scientific technology, industry construction, culture, education and public health. The management rule is formulated in accordance to the Law on Forestry of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and other relevant regulations.

Article 2 Natural reserves for forestry and wild fauna (abbreviated natural reserves below) are managed according to this rule.

Article 3 The natural reserves administrative bureau's main task is to implement the policies and regulations of the State concerning natural reserves; strengthen its management; publicize, promote and educate; protect and develop valuable rare resources of the wild flora and fauna; conduct scientific research; explore the evolution rules of the nature of and approaches for better utilizing the forest, flora and fauna; and serve the construction of the socialized society.

Article 4 Natural reserves can be divided into national natural reserves and local natural reserves. National natural reserves are the responsibility of the Ministry of Forestry or the responsible section of forestry of the province, municipality or autonomous region. Local natural reserves are handled by the country's responsible forestry section.

Article 5 Natural reserves can be set up in places with one of the following situations:

Areas with various forest eco-systems of different natural zones.

Major living and breeding areas for valuable, rare flora and fauna species with special protective value, including the major areas for the dwelling and breeding of the animals under national key protection; major breeding and winter resting areas of the migratory birds; primitive places of valuable trees and flora with special value; concentration areas of the specimen of the wildlife model.

Other forest areas with special protective value.

Article 6 Natural reserves set up according to Article 5 of this rule, with significant value in scientific research or with international influence, can be listed as national natural reserves with approval from State Council. Other natural reserves are listed as local natural reserves approved by the people's government of the province, municipality or autonomous region.

Article 7 When setting up natural reserves the responsible section shall consider the local economic construction and the need of the residents, paying particular attention to the protective targets and the applicable scope. In cases where disturbances cannot be avoided, the disturbed area must be restricted and living and production problems affecting the people shall be resolved according to the relevant regulations of the State.

Article 8 The removal or readjustment of natural reserves shall be approved by the bureau that approved the set-up. The form and the administrative region of the natural reserve cannot be changed without permission.

Article 9 The management bureau of natural reserves is a public institution. The setup and the work staff of the institution shall be keen-witted and capable. The employment, infrastructure investment and expenditure of the national or local natural reserves, after being approved by the responsible bureau, shall be uniformly arranged by the forestry section and adapted in accordance with the development plan of the nation, province, municipality or autonomous region.

Article 10 The management bureau of natural reserves can divide the reserves into core and experimental zones according to specific situations. The core zone is designated for observation and study only. The experimental zone can be used for scientific experiments, teaching practice, visits and breeding of valuable and rare species.

Article 11 The natural environment and natural resources of the reserves are under the uniform management of the management bureau of natural reserves. No agency or individual can set up offices or construction facilities at natural reserves without permission from the Ministry of Forestry or the responsible section of the province, municipality or autonomous region.

Article 12 Natural reserves with good conditions may receive tourists in designated areas, after being approved by the Ministry of Forestry or the responsible section of the province, municipality or autonomous region.

Activities conducted at natural reserves shall comply with the following regulations:

Tourist activities shall be monitored by the uniform management of the administrative section of the natural reserves; proceeds shall be used for the construction and protection of natural reserves.

The right to property like tourism buildings and facilities in natural reserves invested by certain bureaus or jointly constructed by natural reserves and other bureaus belongs to the natural reserves; income can be shared by the involved parties at a certain ratio in a given period of time, but the title for the property cannot be changed.

Planning and design of the tourist zone is necessary; the tourist location and routine shall be designated.

Buildings and facilities at the reserves must reflect the national flavor in compliance with the natural location.

Annual receptions shall be made according to the needs of tourist activities and reception conditions and approved by the responsible section of the Ministry of Forestry.

Fireproof installations and sanitation facilities shall be established; strict inspections shall also be undertaken to prevent environmental pollution or damage to natural resources.

Article 13 Agencies or individuals entering natural reserves for scientific research, visits, filming, or climbing must obtain permission from the forestry section above the level of the province, municipality or autonomous region.

Any bureau, group or unit acceding to treaties concerning national natural reserves with foreign countries or receiving foreigners to the reserves shall obtain permission from the Ministry of Forestry; activities concerning local natural reserves shall be approved by the responsible forestry section of the province, municipality or autonomous region.

Approved activities at natural reserves must adhere to this rule and other relevant regulations, and pay a protection management fee.

Article 14 Residents in natural reserves shall abide by the relevant regulations and live and work in a designated area. Residents can take up agriculture and aquaculture, or contract to do labor services and protection work organized by the natural reserved to increase their income on the condition that no damage is done to the natural resources.

Article 15 The administrative section of natural reserves shall associate the people's government or related units of the county or town where natural reserves are located or bordered, constitute associated protection committees of natural reserves, implement protection treaties and complete administrative tasks via joint efforts.

Article 16 Led by the administrative section of natural reserves in administration and the higher public security bureau in specific works, the public security bureau or public security commissioner can be sent to natural reserves in accordance with related regulations or based on specific demands.

Major tasks for the public security bureau include protecting natural resources and the property of the nation at the reserves, maintain social security at the reserves and investigate and tackle cases concerning the damage of natural reserves.

Article 17 This rule takes effect on the date of promulgation.