Anyone who wants to dig up wild plants in Gansu Province's grassland must first obtain formal permission from local authorities.

The regulation took effect on March 1 as part of the Northwest province's effort to better protect its fragile environment. A permit card entitles the bearer to dig in limited quantities.

In addition, people involved in the wild plants business are also targeted in the stern management system. Many wild plants in the grassland are expensive Chinese medicine materials, officials say, so digging must be regulated.

(Lanzhou Morning Post)