Environmentalist urges green reconstruction

Renowned Chinese environmentalist Yang Xin has called for an environmentally friendly reconstruction of regions hit by the May 12 Sichuan quake and is proceeding with plans to build a nature preservation center in the province.

"In addition to scientists' suggestions, we also need anthropologists to help us rebuild the environment in quake-hit areas," Yang said.

Traditions of local communities in these areas should be respected, as their customs and daily life form part of the ecological system, Yang said.