Compiled from: China Youth Daily, The Paper
 
Case review
On the afternoon of August 7, a netizen posted a video on social media showing "four tourists stepping into the water barefoot to take photos at the Jiuzhaigou scenic area in Aba Prefecture," sparking heated discussion online.

 
 

In the viral video, several tourists at the Jiuzhaigou scenic area were seen laughing and taking photos barefoot in the water, while other visitors stood by the shore. Many netizens commented: "This is a World Natural Heritage site. How many years will it take for the water quality to recover after being damaged?"
 
On August 9, the Jiuzhaigou scenic area administration told the media that on August 7, four tourists at the scenic area left the designated boardwalks and trails to step into the water. After the incident, the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area Administration took it seriously, launched an investigation with relevant law enforcement agencies, and located the four tourists in Songpan County.
 
The investigation found that the four tourists' actions of leaving the boardwalks and trails, trampling vegetation, and stepping into the water violated Article 27, Item 7 of the "Regulations on Scenic Areas of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture." According to Article 46 of the same regulations, the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area Administration imposed administrative penalties on them. The four tourists recognized the seriousness of the matter, deeply reflected on their actions, accepted the punishment, and issued a written apology.

 

 
Regulations on Scenic Areas
Article 26
The following activities are prohibited within scenic and historic areas:
(1) Activities such as quarrying, mining, land reclamation, and erecting graves or monuments that damage landscapes, vegetation, and topography;
(2) Constructing facilities for storing explosive, flammable, radioactive, toxic, or corrosive substances;
(3) Carving or defacing scenery or facilities;
(4) Littering.
 
Article 44
Anyone who violates these regulations by carving or defacing scenery or facilities, or littering within scenic and historic areas, shall be ordered by the management authority to restore the original condition or take other remedial measures, and shall be fined 50 yuan. Those who intentionally damage state-protected cultural relics or historic sites through carving, defacing, or other means shall be penalized in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Public Security Administration Punishments Law; if the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued according to law.
 
 
《Regulations on Scenic and Historic Areas of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture
Article 27
The following activities or behaviors are prohibited within scenic and historic areas:
……
(7) Climbing over or riding on safety railings, leaving designated tourist boardwalks or trails to trample vegetation, play in water, etc.;
……
 
Article 46
……
Anyone violating the provisions of Article 27, Item (7) of these regulations shall be ordered by the scenic area management authority to restore the original state or take other remedial measures, and shall be fined not less than 50 yuan but not more than 200 yuan. If a safety accident occurs due to personal reasons, the responsible individual shall bear full liability.
……

 

 
[1] The author's perspective
During the summer vacation, many people take their children to see the great rivers and mountains of the motherland, but on the trips, there are many uncivilized behaviors, such as littering, entering the water at will, and even scribbling, unaware that these actions are actually illegal. As early as 2006, the State Council issued the "Regulations on Scenic and Historic Areas," and once violated, one must bear the corresponding legal consequences.
 
From the above regulations, it can be seen that littering in scenic and historic areas is also an illegal act. Therefore, we should enhance our environmental awareness in daily life and never do evil because it is small. To better protect the beautiful landscapes, each of us should start from ourselves, as it is everyone's responsibility to protect the environment.