Full text of the 2018 Regulations on Conversion of Farmland to Forests, Newly Revised Edition

The full text of the 2018 Regulations on Converting Farmland to Forests

Converting farmland to forests means to protect and improve the ecological environment and convert sloping farmland that is prone to water and soil erosion in a planned and step-by-step manner. Stop farming, plant trees according to local conditions, and restore forest vegetation in accordance with the principle of suitable trees for the right site. The following is the legal knowledge about converting farmland to forest that I have compiled. Everyone is welcome to read and learn.

Chapter 1 General Provisions

Article 1 In order to regulate the activities of returning farmland to forests, protect the legitimate rights and interests of those who return farmland to forests, consolidate the results of returning farmland to forests, optimize the rural industrial structure, and improve the ecology environment and enact these regulations.

Article 2 These Regulations shall apply to the activities of returning farmland to forests within the planning scope approved by the State Council.

Article 3 People’s governments at all levels should strictly implement the policies and measures of “returning farmland to forests, closing mountains for greening, using grain as relief, and individual contracting”.

Article 4: Ecological priority must be adhered to when returning farmland to forest. Converting farmland to forests should be combined with adjusting the rural industrial structure, developing the rural economy, preventing and controlling soil erosion, protecting and building basic farmland, increasing grain yields, strengthening rural energy construction, and implementing ecological migration.

Article 5 The following principles should be followed when returning farmland to forest:

(1) Overall planning, step-by-step implementation, highlighting key points, and focusing on actual results;

(2) ) Policy guidance is combined with farmers' voluntary return of farmland. Whoever returns the farmland will afforestation, whoever manages it, and who will benefit;

(3) Follow the laws of nature, adapt to local conditions, and achieve comprehensive management if forests are suitable for forests and grass is suitable for grass. ;

(4) Pay equal attention to construction and protection, and prevent destruction at the same time;

(5) Gradually improve the living conditions of those who return farmland to forests.

Article 6 The Western Development Agency of the State Council is responsible for the comprehensive coordination of the work of returning farmland to forest, organizing relevant departments to study and formulate relevant policies and methods for returning farmland to forest, and organizing and coordinating the implementation of the overall plan for returning farmland to forest; State Council Forestry The administrative department is responsible for formulating the overall plan and annual plan for converting farmland to forest, and is responsible for the implementation of the nationwide conversion of farmland to forest. It is responsible for the guidance, supervision and inspection of the work of returning farmland to forest. The development planning department of the State Council, together with relevant departments, is responsible for the review and review of the overall plan for returning farmland to forest. The summary of plans, the preparation and comprehensive balance of the annual infrastructure plan; the financial department of the State Council is responsible for the arrangement and supervision of central financial subsidy funds for returning farmland to forest; the agricultural administrative department of the State Council is responsible for returning cultivated grassland to grassland and the restoration and restoration of natural grassland. Construction-related plans, preparation of plans, as well as technical guidance, supervision and inspection; the water administrative department of the State Council is responsible for the technical guidance and supervision and inspection of small watershed management, water and soil conservation and other related work in the area of ??returning farmland to forest and grassland; the grain administrative department of the State Council is responsible for grain Coordination and allocation of resources.

related work.

Article 7: The state implements the responsibility system of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government for converting farmland into forests. The people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government should organize relevant departments to take measures to ensure that the central subsidy funds for returning farmland to forests are used exclusively, organize and implement the transportation and supply of subsidized grains, strengthen the review work of returning farmland to forests, and complete the state-issued return of farmland to forests on schedule. tasks, and implement target responsibilities step by step, sign responsibility letters, and achieve the goal of returning farmland to forest.

Article 8: A target responsibility system shall be implemented for returning farmland to forest.

Relevant departments of the local people's governments at or above the county level should sign a responsibility letter with the person in charge and technical person in charge of the project to convert farmland to forest, clarifying the responsibilities they should bear.

Article 9: The state supports the research and promotion of applied technologies for converting farmland to forests, and improves the scientific and technological level of converting farmland to forests.

Article 10: Relevant departments of the State Council and local people’s governments at all levels shall organize publicity and education on the activities of returning farmland to forests to enhance citizens’ awareness of ecological construction and protection.

Units and individuals that have made outstanding achievements in converting farmland into forests will be commended and rewarded by relevant departments of the State Council and local people's governments at all levels.

Article 11: Any unit or individual has the right to report and accuse acts that undermine the conversion of farmland to forest.

After receiving reports or accusations, the relevant people's governments and their relevant departments shall handle them in a timely manner.

Article 12 Audit agencies at all levels should strengthen audit supervision of the use of funds for converting farmland to forest and grain subsidies.

Chapter 2 Planning and Programming

Article 13 Conversion of farmland to forest shall be planned in an overall manner.

The overall plan for returning farmland to forest is prepared by the forestry administrative department of the State Council. After coordination by the Western Development Agency of the State Council and review by the development planning department of the State Council, it is submitted to the State Council for approval and implementation.

The forestry administrative departments of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall, in accordance with the overall plan for returning farmland to forests, work with relevant departments to prepare a plan for returning farmland to forests in their respective administrative regions, and upon approval by the people's government at the same level, submit it to the relevant departments of the State Council for filing.

Article 14 The plan for returning farmland to forest shall include the following main contents:

(1) Scope, layout and focus;

(2) Time limit and goals and tasks;

(3) Investment calculation and funding sources;

(4) Benefit analysis and evaluation;

(5) Safeguard measures.

Article 15 The following cultivated land shall be included in the plan for returning farmland to forest, and the conversion of farmland to forest shall be carried out in a planned manner according to the needs of ecological construction and national financial resources:

(1) Severe water and soil erosion ;

(2) Severe desertification, salinization, and rocky desertification;

(3) Important ecological status, low and unstable grain output.

Cultivated land on steep slopes at the source of rivers and on both sides, around lakes and reservoirs, and cultivated land in ecologically important areas where soil erosion and wind and sand damage are serious should be given priority in the plan to return farmland to forest.

Article 16 Cultivated land within the scope of basic farmland protection and farmland with good production conditions, actual grain output exceeding the national grain subsidy standard for converting farmland to forest, and which will not cause water and soil erosion shall not be included in the plan for converting farmland to forest. ; However, due to the special needs of ecological construction, after the scope of protection of basic farmland is adjusted with the approval of the State Council and in accordance with the procedures stipulated in relevant laws and administrative regulations, it can be included in the plan for returning farmland to forest.

When formulating plans for returning farmland to forest, the long-term livelihood needs of farmers returning farmland should be considered.

Article 17 The plan for returning farmland to forest should be connected with the national economic and social development plan, the overall rural economic development plan, the overall land use plan, and with plans for environmental protection, soil and water conservation, desertification prevention and control, etc. coordinated.

Article 18 Conversion of farmland to forest must be carried out in accordance with the approved plan. The plan for returning farmland to forest shall not be adjusted without the consent of the original approving authority.

Article 19 The forestry administrative department of the people's government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government shall, in accordance with the plan of returning farmland to forest, work with relevant departments to prepare recommendations for the plan of returning farmland to forest for the next year in the administrative region, which shall be developed by the people's government at the same level After review by the planning department and approval by the people's government at the same level, it shall be reported to the Western Development Agency of the State Council, forestry, development planning and other relevant departments before August 31 of each year. The forestry administrative department of the State Council compiles and compiles the national annual plan for returning farmland to forest. It is coordinated by the western development agency of the State Council, reviewed and comprehensively balanced by the development planning department of the State Council. After being submitted to the State Council for approval, the development planning department of the State Council, together with relevant departments, will implement the proposal before October 31. Jointly issued.

The development planning departments of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, together with relevant departments, shall, in accordance with the national annual plan for returning farmland to forests, decompose and distribute the plan for returning farmland to forests in the administrative region for the next year to the relevant counties ( Municipal) People's Government, and will report the breakdown and distribution to the relevant departments of the State Council for filing.

Article 20 The forestry administrative departments of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall, in accordance with the plan for returning farmland to forests for the next year issued by the state, work with relevant departments to prepare an annual implementation plan for returning farmland to forests within their respective administrative regions. After review by the forestry administrative department of the State Council, it shall be submitted to the people's government at the same level for approval and implementation.

The forestry administrative department of the county-level people's government may, based on the approved provincial-level annual implementation plan for returning farmland to forest, prepare an annual implementation plan for returning farmland to forest within its own administrative region, and submit it to the people's government at the same level for approval before implementation , and report it to the forestry administrative department of the people's government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government for filing.

Article 21 The annual implementation plan for returning farmland to forest shall include the following main contents:

(1) The specific scope of returning farmland to forest;

( 2) The ratio of ecological forests to economic forests;

(3) Tree species selection and vegetation allocation;

(4) Afforestation model;

(5) Seedlings Supply method;

(6) Vegetation management and supporting measures;

(7) Project and technical person in charge.

Article 22 The forestry administrative department of the people’s government at the county level shall organize professionals or qualified design units to prepare township operation designs based on the annual conversion of farmland to forest implementation plan, and implement the contents determined in the implementation plan to Specific land parcels and land contract management rights holders.

When preparing operation design, arid and semi-arid areas should focus on planting drought-tolerant shrubs (grass) and restoring original vegetation; if intercropping is used to plant trees and grass, perennial plants should be intercropped, and the main forest trees should be intercropped. The initial planting density should comply with national standards.

Article 23 The ecological forest area created by returning farmland to forest shall be calculated on a county basis and shall not be less than 80% of the area of ??returning farmland to forest.

The ecological forests created by converting farmland into forests shall be recognized by the forestry administrative departments of the local people's governments at or above the county level in accordance with the standards formulated by the forestry administrative department of the State Council.

Chapter 3 Afforestation, Management and Protection, Inspection and Acceptance

Article 24 The people’s government at the county level or the people’s government at the township level entrusted by it shall cooperate with the land that has the task of returning farmland to forest. The holder of the management right signs a contract for returning farmland to forest.

The contract for returning farmland to forest shall include the following main contents:

(1) The scope and area of ??returning farmland to forest and the scope and area of ??afforestation of barren hills and wasteland suitable for forestation;

(2) The method of returning farmland to forest determined in accordance with the operation design;

(3) The afforestation survival rate and its preservation rate;

(4) Management and protection responsibilities;

(5) Fund and food subsidy standards, terms and payment methods;

(6) Technical guidance and technical service methods and content;

(7) Seedlings Source and method of supply;

(8) Liability for breach of contract;

(9) Contract performance period.

The contents of the contract for converting farmland to forests shall not conflict with these Regulations and other national regulations on converting farmland to forests.

Article 25: Seedlings required for converting farmland to forests can be centralized purchased by the people's government at the county level based on the actual situation in the region, or they can be purchased by those who convert farmland to forests on their own. In the case of centralized procurement, the opinions of those who are converting farmland to forests shall be solicited, and public bidding shall be adopted and a written contract shall be signed. If the national seedling afforestation subsidy standard is exceeded, the excess fees shall not be forcibly collected from those who are converting farmland to forests.

No unit or individual may designate a seedling supplier for those converting farmland into forests.

It is prohibited to monopolize the operation of seedlings and drive up seedling prices.

Article 26: Seedlings used for converting farmland into forests shall be cultivated on site and adjusted nearby, and priority shall be given to native tree species and improved seedlings of tree species with strong stress resistance.

Article 27 The administrative departments of forestry and agriculture shall strengthen the management of technical guidance and services for seedling cultivation to ensure the quality of seedlings.

The converted farmland to forest seedlings sold and supplied must be inspected and passed by the forestry and agricultural administrative departments of the county-level people's government, and be accompanied by labels and quality inspection certificates; if transported across counties, they must also obtain the certificate in accordance with the law. Quarantine certificate.

Article 28 The people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall strengthen the construction of seedling production and seed collection bases in accordance with the plans for returning farmland to forests in their respective administrative regions.

The state encourages enterprises and individuals to adopt various forms to cultivate seedlings and carry out industrial operations.

Article 29 Those who return farmland to forests shall plant trees and grass in accordance with the requirements of the operation design and contract.

It is prohibited to intercrop forest and grain crops and destroy the original forest and grass vegetation.

Article 30: During the period of receiving financial and food subsidies, those who return farmland to forests shall afforestation in barren mountains and wastelands suitable for forestation in accordance with the requirements of the operation design and contract.

Article 31 The people's government at the county level shall establish a management and protection system for returning farmland to forest and implement management and protection responsibilities.

Those who return farmland to forests must fulfill their management and protection obligations.

It is prohibited to re-cultivate and engage in activities that damage surface vegetation such as indiscriminate mining and excavation within the scope of the conversion of farmland to forest project.

Article 32: Local people's governments at all levels and their relevant departments shall organize technology promotion units or technical personnel to provide technical guidance and technical services for converting farmland into forests.

Article 33 The forestry administrative department of the people's government at the county level shall inspect and accept the conversion of farmland to forest construction projects in accordance with the inspection and acceptance standards and methods formulated by the forestry administrative department of the State Council. Those that pass the inspection and acceptance shall Only then can the acceptance certificate be issued.

Article 34 The people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall review the inspection and acceptance results of returning farmland to forest at the county level, and reward and punish the county-level people's governments and relevant responsible personnel based on the review results.

The forestry administrative department of the State Council shall verify the provincial review results and report the verification results to the State Council.

Chapter 4 Funds and Food Subsidies

Article 35 The state shall provide subsidized grain and seedling afforestation subsidies to land contracting and management rights holders based on the approved actual area of ??returning farmland to forest. fees and living allowance. The specific subsidy standards and subsidy years shall be implemented in accordance with the relevant regulations of the State Council.

Article 36: For afforestation of sloping farmland that has not yet been contracted to households and fallow, and for afforestation of barren hills and wasteland suitable for forestation included in the plan for returning farmland to forest, only seedling afforestation subsidies will be provided.

Article 37: Seedling afforestation subsidies and living subsidies shall be issued and allocated in a timely manner by the planning, finance, and forestry departments of the State Council in accordance with relevant regulations.

Article 38 Subsidized grain should be transported nearby to reduce supply links and reduce supply costs. Food subsidies are handled in accordance with relevant national policies.

The cost of grain transportation shall be borne by local finance and shall not be shared with enterprises that supply subsidized grain and those who return farmland to forests.

Article 39: The people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall reasonably determine the types of subsidized grains based on local grain consumption habits and crop planting habits, as well as the actual situation of local grain stocks.

Subsidized grain must meet national quality standards. Products that do not meet national quality standards shall not be supplied to those converting farmland into forests.

Article 40 In the first year of returning farmland to forest, the grain subsidy can be paid in two installments in that year, and the amount of each payment shall be determined by the people's government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government.

Starting from the second year after returning farmland to forests, within the prescribed subsidy period, the county-level people's government shall organize relevant departments and units to promptly pay the annual subsidy to those who hold the acceptance certificate for returning farmland to forests. Food subsidies.

Article 41: Grain subsidies paid may not be converted into cash or vouchers. Enterprises that supply subsidized grain are not allowed to repurchase the subsidized grain converted from farmland to forest.

Article 42: Seedling afforestation subsidies shall be used for seedling procurement, and the remaining part may be used for afforestation subsidies and enclosure management and protection.

If the person who converts farmland to forest purchases seedlings by himself, the county-level people's government or the township-level people's government entrusted by it shall pay the seedling afforestation subsidy in a lump sum when the contract for returning farmland to forest takes effect.

For centralized procurement of seedlings, after the conversion of farmland to forest passes the inspection and acceptance, the seedling procurement unit shall settle the seedling afforestation subsidy with the person who returns farmland to forest.

Article 43 After returning farmland to forests, within the prescribed subsidy period, the county-level people's government shall organize relevant departments to promptly pay the land in one lump sum to those who hold the acceptance certificate for returning farmland to forests. Annual living allowance.

Article 44: Funds for returning farmland to forests shall be stored in special accounts and earmarked for special purposes. No unit or individual may appropriate, withhold, misappropriate or withhold funds.

No unit or individual may commit fraud or make false claims to receive subsidy funds and grain.

Article 45: The state will provide subsidies for the preliminary work and scientific and technological support required for converting farmland to forests according to a certain proportion of the capital investment in converting farmland to forests, and the development planning department of the State Council will make annual plans based on the project conditions. arranged in.

The inspection, acceptance, redemption and other expenses required for returning farmland to forest shall be borne by the local finance. The verification and other expenses required by relevant central departments shall be borne by the central government.

Article 46 Townships (towns) and villages that implement the conversion of farmland to forests shall establish a public notification system for returning farmland to forests, and report the areas of farmland to forests, afforestation tree species, survival rates, and funds and funds of those who return farmland to forests. The distribution of food subsidies and other information will be announced.

Chapter 5 Other Safeguard Measures

Article 47 Those who return farmland to forests under state protection shall enjoy the ownership of the trees (grass) on the land converted from farmland. If you return farmland to forests on your own, the land contract management right holder shall enjoy the ownership of the trees (grass) on the land returned to farmland; if you entrust others to return farmland to forests or cooperate with others to return farmland to forests, the ownership of the trees (grass) on the land returned to farmland shall be stipulated in the contract.

After returning farmland to forests, the people's governments at or above the county level shall issue forest (grassland) ownership certificates in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Forest Law and Grassland Law, confirm ownership and use rights, and handle land change registration procedures in accordance with the law. . The land contract management contract should be adjusted accordingly.

Article 48: The period of contract management rights for returned farmland to forests can be extended to 70 years. After the contracted management right expires, the holder of the land contracted management right may continue to contract in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws and regulations.

The contracted management rights of land converted from farmland to forest and barren hills and wasteland after afforestation can be inherited and transferred in accordance with the law.

Article 49 Those who return farmland to forests shall enjoy tax preferential treatment in accordance with relevant national regulations. Among them, the income from agricultural specialties obtained from returning farmland to forests (grass) shall be exempted from agricultural specialty taxes in accordance with national regulations.

The part of the agricultural tax revenue of counties (cities) that convert farmland to forests will be reduced due to disasters, and the superior finance department will provide appropriate subsidies in the form of transfer payments; if there are indeed difficulties, with the approval of the State Council, the central finance will provide transfer payments. provide appropriate subsidies.

Article 50: After the expiration of funds and food subsidies, those who return farmland to forests may log all their forest trees in accordance with the law, subject to the approval of the relevant competent authorities without damaging the overall ecological functions.

Article 51 Local people's governments at all levels should strengthen the construction of basic farmland and agricultural infrastructure, increase investment, improve soil, transform sloping farmland, increase soil fertility and unit grain output, and solve the problems of those who convert farmland to forest. Long-term ration requirements.

Article 52: Local people's governments at all levels shall strengthen rural energy construction such as biogas, small hydropower, solar energy, and wind energy based on actual conditions to meet the energy needs of those who return farmland to forests.

Article 53 Local people's governments at all levels shall adjust the rural industrial structure, support leading enterprises, develop pillar industries, open up employment opportunities, increase farmers' income, accelerate the construction of small towns, and promote the gradual migration of the agricultural population to cities and towns. transfer.

Article 54: The state encourages the implementation of ecological migration in the process of converting farmland into forests, and provides appropriate subsidies for the production and living facilities of ecological resettlement farmers.

Article 55: After returning farmland to forests, the relevant local people's governments shall take measures such as closing mountains, prohibiting grazing, and raising animals in pens to protect the results of returning farmland to forests.

Article 56: Converting farmland to forests should be combined with policies and measures such as poverty alleviation and development, comprehensive agricultural development, and soil and water conservation. Funds for projects of different natures should be coordinated and arranged on the premise of earmarked funds to increase funds. Use benefits.

Chapter 6 Legal Responsibilities

Article 57 If a state employee violates the provisions of these Regulations during the activities of returning farmland to forest and commits any of the following acts, he shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Law on Corruption Criminal liability shall be investigated in accordance with the provisions of the crime of crime, bribery, misappropriation of public funds or other crimes; if the crime is not sufficient for criminal punishment, administrative sanctions shall be imposed in accordance with the law:

(1) Occupying, withholding or misappropriating funds for converting farmland to forests or Withholding subsidy grain;

(2) Fraud and false reporting to receive subsidy funds and grain;

(3) Taking advantage of one’s position to accept property or other benefits from others.

If any person other than a state functionary commits the acts in Item (2) of the preceding paragraph, he shall be investigated for criminal responsibility in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Law on the crime of fraud or other crimes; if it is not enough for criminal punishment, the county-level prosecutor shall The forestry administrative departments of the above people's governments shall order the return of the subsidy funds and grains falsely received, and impose a fine of not less than 2 times but not more than 5 times the amount of the falsely received funds.

Article 58 If a staff member of a state agency violates the provisions of these Regulations during the conversion of farmland to forest activities and commits any of the following acts, his/her unit or the superior department shall order him or her to make corrections within a time limit and return the property to forest. For the apportioned and overcharged fees, the directly responsible person in charge and other directly responsible personnel shall be investigated for criminal liability in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Law on abuse of power, dereliction of duty or other crimes; if the fees are not sufficient for criminal punishment, administrative penalties shall be imposed in accordance with the law. Punishment:

(1) Failure to promptly handle reports and accusations related to the destruction of activities of converting farmland to forest;

(2) Sharing grain to enterprises that supply subsidized grain and those who convert farmland to forest transportation costs;

(3) Failure to timely issue food subsidies and living allowances to those who hold the acceptance certificate for converting farmland to forest;

(4) Converting farmland to forestry When the contract comes into effect, those who purchase seedlings for returning farmland to forests do not pay the seedling afforestation subsidy in full in one lump sum; Settle the seedling afforestation subsidy with the person who returns farmland to forest;

(6) The seedlings purchased collectively are unqualified;

(7) The seedlings purchased collectively, Those who return farmland to forests forcibly collect seedling fees that exceed the national seedling afforestation subsidy standards;

(8) Designate seed suppliers for those who return farmland to forests;

( 9) Approving grain enterprises to supply subsidized grain that does not meet national quality standards to convert farmland to forest or converting subsidized grain into cash or vouchers for payment;

(10) Others do not perform their duties in accordance with the provisions of these regulations of.

Article 59 Whoever uses unfair means to monopolize the seed market or drive up the price of seedlings shall be investigated for criminal liability in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Law on the crime of illegal business operations, the crime of forced trading or other crimes; If the criminal penalty is not sufficient, the industrial and commercial administration authorities shall handle the matter in accordance with the provisions of the Anti-Unfair Competition Law; if the Anti-Unfair Competition Law does not provide for it, the industrial and commercial administrative authorities shall impose a fine of not less than 2 times but not more than 5 times of the illegal business volume.

Article 60 Whoever sells or supplies seedlings that have not passed the inspection or seedlings that do not have labels, quality inspection certificates, or quarantine certificates shall be punished in accordance with the criminal law on the crime of producing and selling fake and inferior seeds or Criminal liability shall be investigated in accordance with the provisions of other crimes; if the crime is not sufficient for criminal punishment, it shall be handled by the administrative department of forestry and agriculture or the administrative department for industry and commerce of the people's government at or above the county level in accordance with the provisions of the Seed Law; if there is no provision in the Seed Law, the case shall be handled by the administrative department of forestry and agriculture of the people's government at or above the county level. The forestry and agricultural administrative departments of the above people's governments shall impose fines of not less than 2 times but not more than 5 times of the illegal business volume in accordance with their powers.

Article 61 If an enterprise that supplies subsidized grain supplies subsidized grain that does not meet national quality standards to those who return farmland to forest, the grain administrative department of the people's government at or above the county level shall order it to make corrections within a time limit and may impose illegal penalties. The quantity of subsidized grain supplied shall be multiplied by the unit price of standard rations and shall be subject to a penalty of less than 1 time.

If an enterprise that supplies subsidized grain converts the subsidized grain into cash or vouchers for payment, or repurchases the subsidized grain, the grain administrative department of the people's government at or above the county level shall order it to make corrections within a time limit, and may impose a penalty on the converted cash amount. , voucher amount or a fine of less than 1 times the price of grain repurchase.

Article 62: Those who return farmland to forests without authorization, or engage in intercropping with forest and grain, or engage in activities that damage surface vegetation, such as indiscriminate mining and excavation within the scope of the project, shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Law. Crimes of illegal occupation of agricultural land, crimes of indiscriminate logging or other crimes shall be investigated for criminal responsibility in accordance with the law; if the crime is not sufficient for criminal punishment, the administrative departments of forestry, agriculture, and water conservancy of the people's governments at or above the county level shall, in accordance with the Forest Law, Grassland Law, Water and Soil Conservation Law, penalties prescribed by law.

Chapter 7 Supplementary Provisions

Article 63 The specific implementation of returning cultivated grassland to grassland and the restoration and construction of natural grassland shall be implemented in accordance with the Grassland Law and the relevant provisions of the State Council.

The specific implementation of small watershed management, water and soil conservation and other related work in the area of ??returning farmland to forest and grassland shall be implemented in accordance with the Soil and Water Conservation Law and the relevant provisions of the State Council.

Article 64: For land outside the planning scope approved by the State Council, if local people's governments at all levels decide to convert farmland into forests, they will not enjoy the central policy subsidies stipulated in these regulations.

Article 65 This Regulation shall come into effect on January 20, 2003.