(Photo/Chen Junlu)

Jiangsu inaugurated a rare plants judicial protection base at Pingshan Tree Farm in Nanjing's Liuhe District on March 24, also China's first such facility dedicated to the preservation of rare and endangered plants.

Covering an area of 2.4 hectares, the base is established with the joint effort of the provincial high court, the Intermediate People's Court of Nanjing City, the People's Court of Xuanwu District, and the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Bureau of Liuhe District.

Following previous studies, the first batch of 366 plants of species placed under the national first and second-class protection, such as Magnolia zenii, were planted in the tree farm, which is also a 4A national forest park. The new plants are also considered helpful to promote the biodiversity.

According to Gao Wei, chief justice of Xuanwu District People's Court, the base's funding will come from private donations as well as restoration fees collected in ecological and environmental cases. "It is hoped that the base can help raise the public awareness of biodiversity and the harmonious coexistence of man with nature," Gao added.