Shennongjia is the biggest primary forest in Central China, the only intact subtropical forest ecological system in the world's middle latitude regions and home to many rare wild animal species, including more than 1,300 golden monkeys.[Photo/Xinhua]

Zhang Linwei, deputy director of the ministry's urban construction department, said satellite sensing technology will be used to monitor not only Shennongjia but other World Natural Heritage Sites in China. The technology will help spot possible hazards and changing conditions.

"High-tech approaches are necessary for the protection over these sites," Zhang said. "However, the public's participation and supervision cannot be ignored. The title of World Heritage is not the goal. This is a chance to educate and nurture people's consciousness safeguarding those places."

He added that combining protection and utilization of resources at the heritage sites is a significant innovation.