A squirrel and a bird are seen along Qiandao Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Sept 21, 2026. [Photo/IC]

Zhejiang province has issued a new directive to strengthen bird protection and crack down on illegal hunting and trafficking, as part of efforts to safeguard biodiversity and ecological security.

Issued by Zhejiang's provincial general forest chief as the second such order of 2026, the directive calls for stronger patrols, monitoring, and law enforcement across the province.

Zhejiang lies along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, one of the world's major migratory bird routes, making it an important area for bird conservation.

Local authorities are required to improve monitoring and patrols in key habitats, breeding grounds, wintering sites, and migration corridors. The directive calls for a coordinated patrol system involving forest chiefs, forest rangers, community grid management personnel, and staff at local forestry stations.

It also requires stronger monitoring and prevention of diseases affecting birds, along with improved rescue services for injured or stranded birds and their scientifically guided release back into the wild.

To encourage public participation, Zhejiang will improve its reward-based reporting system for suspected wildlife crimes and involve conservation organizations and volunteers in bird protection.

The measures aim to strengthen local conservation efforts and reduce threats to wild bird populations.