Southwest China's Sichuan Province, home of four world heritage sites, will implement a set of new regulations on April 1 to protect these sites.

The new regulations aim to tackle the problems of environmental pollution, endangered resources and inadequate management. The regulations place strict restriction on construction projects within the area of the heritage sites.

The building of new hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities within the central area of the heritage sites will be banned, according to the regulations.

Vehicles and boats within the heritage areas are required to use green fuel. Release of water, gas and solid waste in the regions must be controlled, the regulations stipulate.

So far, 28 of China's cultural and natural sites have been included in the World Heritage List. Of these, Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Emei Mountain and the Leshan Mountain Giant Buddha and Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan (Dujiang Dyke) are located in Sichuan Province.

(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2002)