Beginning this month, those who exploit stalactites without a license will be fined 100,000 yuan (US$12,077) in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
This is included in new rules promulgated by the local government to protect the stalactite, an icicle-shaped mineral deposit formed by the constant dripping of mineral-rich water.
Guangxi boasts the richest stalactite resources in China. In recent years, the exploitation and smuggling of stalactites has become rampant, because of their high commercial value.
Take the Lotus Cavern for example. The tourist spot, in the suburbs of the tourist city of Guilin, was famous for its unique lotus-shaped stalactite, but now the "lotus" has been damaged with some "lotus seeds" being stolen.
To help protect this precious resource, the new rules set out clearly the ownership and the administration involved in the exploitation, export and research of stalactites. According to the rules, predatory exploitation which causes severe damage to stalactite sources will be fined 50,000 yuan.
Experts agree that the promulgation of the rules will set a good example to other areas with rich stalactite resources, such as Guizhou, Yunnan and Hunan provinces.
(ChinaEnvironment.com July 23, 2002)
