China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has issued a circular, banning movie and television program shoots from key scenic spots for fear of damage to the environment.
SARFT says that no film or television programs shall be shot at the buffer area of nature reserves or in the core areas of the places of interest, and program makers should report and complete relevant formalities before they can set up some temporary buildings like scene sheds, stages or camps. They must also dismantle those sets and clean the area immediately after the shoots, and they must have the local supervision department inspect and accept the results before they can leave.
In addition, SARFT requires that the supervision departments and film/television production departments must strengthen their education surrounding environmental and cultural relic protection and the importance of preserving those heritage areas. It also asks that effective measures be taken to maintain the originality, authenticity and integrity of those scenic spots and cultural relics.
SARFT says that film and television shoots have done great harm to the flora and waterways of some scenic spots and this problem has aroused wide attention among the Chinese public.
