Central China town fined millions for death of ancient trees

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A Chinese court has fined local authorities in central China 3.7 million yuan (over half a million US dollars) for the death of some ancient trees four years ago.

The Zhengzhou intermediate people’s court in Henan Province announced last Thursday that authorities in Xuedian Township are being fined millions for the death of hundreds of jujube trees, some of which were 500 years old.

The lawsuit was filed by the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) against the township government and the Huazhuang village committee.

In 2014, the government and the committee had relocated almost 2,000 jujube trees to a nearby village as part of a land reclamation project. An investigation conducted by the court shows that 680 of the trees died.

In addition to the fine, which will be used in local environmental protection efforts, the court also required defendants to plant 9,500 jujube trees as well as putting a dead one on display to serve as a warning.

The town resides in the city of Xinzheng, a major city in China famous for growing jujube, also known as red dates, which are considered by some to be beneficial to health.

Most of these trees in Xinzheng are protected relics with nameplates. /Photo source: The Paper

A legal advisor working for the local forestry bureau said that there had been misunderstandings in the interpretation of the procedures.

“Both the township government and village committee should have waited for prior approvals before removing these trees.”

In the village, residents have a deep connection to the trees, as many of them are also experienced jujube growers.

After being uprooted, the jujube trees withered and died shortly after. /Photo source: The Paper

“These ancient trees saved our lives. When we were poor, we sold the fruits on these trees in exchange for rice. However, when these trees are removed, they all withered and died in a short period of time,” villager Hua Wusong told the online publication Sixth Tone.

“The workers uprooted these trees without enough soil attached to the roots. These trees could hardly be expected to stay alive.”

In recent years, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s policy of “lucid water and lush mountains are invaluable assets” has overseen a rapid growth in public interest environmental protection.

This case is considered a step in the right direction in regards to this policy.

The case has sparked discussion on social media in China, with many criticizing the local government for not showing any respect for nature or local history.