China has made remarkable progress in protection of wildlife, especially the species listed for state protection, according to a survey released by the State Forestry Administration on Thursday.

A comparative analysis based on 61 comparable species indicates that 34 priority species under state protection are experiencing a steady increase in their resources, but nine species not under priority state protection are experiencing a remarkable decline, including 8 snake species, said the survey.

The survey has been carried out since 1995. In the survey, 252 highly consumed terrestrial wildlife species on the verge of extinction (including 153 priority species under national protection) were selected based on the pressing need of conservation.

Establishment of nature reserves has proved effective in protecting major habitats where over 300 kinds of wildlife listed for state protection live, said the survey.

In the meantime, progress is also reported in protection of wild and rare plants.

The first natural inventory on wild plants has been conducted since 1996. The inventory indicates that with establishment of nature reserves, the major distribution areas of over 130 rare and precious plant species have been effectively protected.

A total of 189 highly consumed wild plant species on the verge of extinction (including 147 priority species under state protection) were selected, of which, 104 are endangered, accounting for 55 percent of the total.

The excessive exploitation and use of plant species not under priority state protection and with high economic value are blamed for the resource decline, said the inventory.

The inventory also indicates that encouraging progress has been made in artificial breeding and utilization of wild plants. A number of breeding bases with certain scale have taken shape accordingly.

(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2004)