THE city government has begun public consultations on proposals to impose fines of 500 yuan (US$75) on people who fly kites in the protected Mangrove Nature Reserve in Futian District.
According to the proposal, kite flying near the reserve disrupts the habitat of migratory birds.
A haven for migratory birds, the reserve was under threat from invasive plant species, environmental pollution, plant diseases and pests, the Daily Sunshine reported Friday.
In addition to the fines, the reserve management would consider limiting the number of visitors to the reserve each day, according to the report.
Residents can express their opinions and send them to qinbz@fzb.sz.gov.cn before Sunday.
Felling mangrove trees in the reserve would be subject to a maximum fine of 5,000 yuan per tree felled, according to the proposal.
The capture and killing of wild animals in the reserve would be subject to a maximum fine of 10,000 yuan.
Established in 1984, the 368-hectare Mangrove Nature Reserve is China s smallest State-level nature reserve and the only one of its kind in a downtown urban area.
It is also a State bird sanctuary and a habitat and rest area for migratory birds in the East Asia-Australasia Flyway. According to statistics, the reserve is host to 180 species of birds, more than 20 of which are rare species under international and national protection.
(Martin Li)
