The first jurisdictional protection center in China for Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems was launched on Nov 3 in Qingtian county, Lishui city, East China's Zhejiang province, according to local media reports.

The center is located in Longxian village in Fangshan township, the core protection area of the local rice-fish cultivation ecosystem, regarded as being a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System recognized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Ecological symbiosis exists in the rice-fish culture cultivation ecosystem: fish provide fertilizer for the rice, regulate micro-climatic conditions, soften the soil, disturb the water and eat larvae and weeds in the flooded fields; rice provides shade and food for the fish.

According to officials, the responsibility of the center will be to integrate punishment of those who infringe regulations with education and environmental restoration. It will lead to ecological rejuvenation and increase the value of local ecological products.

Fangshan township, relying on its natural resources, has been following an ecological development path for many years. In 2005, the rice-fish culture cultivation system in Fangshan was listed as an example of globally important agricultural cultural heritage.