The Supreme People's Court has called for relentless efforts to protect the environment, even as the country has seen a decline in pollution-related crimes in recent years.

Chinese courts concluded 232,000 environmental cases in 2023, a 5.8 percent decrease from the previous year, the top court said. Of these, 5,386 were criminal cases involving pollution, down 11.5 percent year-on-year.

"The number of environmental criminal cases has gradually decreased, but violations and offenses in some key areas are still showing a high incidence," the court said. It disclosed six cases related to national parks on Monday, underscoring the need for vigilance.

In one case, a defendant surnamed Han illegally captured two golden coin turtles, also known as three-banded box turtles, in a tropical rainforest national park in Hainan province in August 2022 and April 2023. He brought the turtles, classified as national key protected wildlife and valued at 100,000 yuan ($13,638), home for his personal enjoyment.

The Hainan No 2 Intermediate People's Court ruled that Han's actions constituted the crime of endangering precious wild animals. However, because he confessed and his actions did not significantly harm the local environment, he was sentenced to one year in prison with a one-year reprieve and fined 5,000 yuan.

The Supreme People's Court approved the ruling, saying it struck a balance between punishment and ecological protection.

"The punishment serves as a deterrent to others and helps to protect biodiversity and maintain ecological balance in the park," it said, adding that it also encourages residents and tourists to safeguard their environment.

The court emphasized the significance of national parks in biodiversity conservation and called for stricter enforcement of environmental laws to support the country's goals for green development and carbon neutrality.

China has made strides in handling environmental cases over the past decade. The number of environmental adjudication divisions, including specialized tribunals and panels, grew to 2,813 in 2023 from 134 in 2014, making China's judicial system the most extensive of its kind globally.

The top court has also issued 21 judicial interpretations and 22 legal guidelines to improve the accuracy and efficiency of environmental case handling.

Highlighting the role of national parks in beautifying the country and preserving biodiversity, the court urged all levels of the judiciary to promote harmony between humanity and nature through the rule of law and to accelerate the green transformation of socioeconomic development.