Challenges Facing Legislation for Land Degradation Control and Their Countermeasures in China

摘要

Undergoing a rapid development period for over 30 years, China has set up a relatively integrate legal system for land degradation (LD) control and many administrative systems that are relatively effective. However, China is still facing challenges: legislation concepts do not completely meet integrated management concepts; lacking a sound legal system and some of the necessary legislation is still a blank field; the administrative system constrains integrated management of land degradation; some necessary administrative systems have not been set up and some have not been improved; legal punishment intensity has not become deterrence to law breakers; laws are not observed or enforced strictly; the public has not played a role as it should do in land degradation control. Facing such challenges and following the need of land degradation control in China, the legal system for land degradation control needs to be improved and strengthened, a necessary administrative system and measures need to be established and strengthened, using integrated management approaches; the punishment intensity needs to be identified to make sure there is no benefit from illegal behaviors.