Key practical points:
• Important wetlands are graded onto protected national and local lists.
• Converting or filling wetlands for other uses is restricted.
• Anyone lawfully occupying wetland must compensate with an equivalent area.
• Migratory-bird habitats and biodiversity are protected.
• Overharvesting and destructive resource extraction are banned.
Wetland Protection Law · Yalla China
中华人民共和国湿地保护法 / Wetland Protection Law
Enacted: 2021-12-24 ✅ Effective: 2022-06-01
📝 Overview
The first dedicated law protecting wetlands as an ecosystem and restricting their conversion and reclamation. It sets a listing system for important wetlands and requires compensation for losses.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
If your real-estate or farming project is near a wetland, beware: converting it is restricted and requires compensation. Check the site's classification early. General orientation, not legal advice.
📎 Official source
npc.gov.cn
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026