Yi said that habitat protection in the revised law still focuses on habitats within nature reserves. "However, the fact is that many habitats do not fall within these reserves.

"Take the giant panda for example. Only 66.8 percent of its habitat is within the nature reserve network," Yi said.

"Without proper protection from the law, those areas outside reserves risk being sabotaged."

Zhang Boju, director of Friends of Nature in Beijing, a nonprofit organization, said that even nature reserves are facing commercial development issues.

Zhang said one of the articles in the draft, which covers economic development and construction affecting wildlife and its habitats, should include a requirement that the effect of such work should be assessed.

There should also be a provision involving a recovery plan for any damage caused to wildlife and habitats before a project is started, according to Zhang.

Gao Tianpei contributed to the story.