On March 26, ahead of International Bird Day and Hubei Bird Protection Week, the Honghu People's Court and Honghu People's Procuratorate jointly issued the province's first Judicial Protection Order for Birds.

The order covers the entire Honghu National Nature Reserve, providing comprehensive protection for 178 bird species that inhabit, breed or migrate through the area. In accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the order establishes three prohibitions against illegal activities. It strictly bans illegal hunting, prohibiting the use of poison, electrocution, electronic traps, bird nets, ground guns, musket or other prohibited tools and methods to hunt wild birds in Honghu and surrounding areas, as well as any interference with bird migration such as setting up barriers or traps in flyways and habitats. The order further prohibits all illegal trade activities, making it unlawful for any organization or individual to purchase, transport or sell nationally protected rare and endangered wild birds or their byproducts, including providing any venues, transport or storage for such illegal trade. Additionally, it bans all activities that causing habitat destruction, particularly the damage of ecosystems like excessive wild plant harvesting, overfishing or pollutant discharge in critical bird habitats.

A spokesperson from the Honghu People's Court emphasized that this judicial order will be set as a precedent for ecological judicial protection in the region, strengthening wildlife protection through collaborative mechanisms. By establishing this "legal nest" for bird conservation and enhancing wetland ecological security measures, the initiative aims to advance the modernization of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature through rule of law.