The Chuxiong Yi autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province has become the first region in China to implement a specific regulation for the protection and management of wild mushrooms.

The new rules, which will come into effect on Aug 1, aim to ensure the sustainable development of the lucrative industry while safeguarding valuable natural resources.

The regulation addresses concerns over excessive harvesting, a growing issue fueled by surging wild mushroom prices.

"In recent years, strong market demand has led to people picking immature, mature and fully opened mushrooms all at once," said Dong Qidong, mayor of Wujie township, adding that the unsustainable practice threatens the long-term viability of wild mushroom beds.

Eleven years ago, "mountain contracts" for mushroom picking were introduced, which allow collective forest lands to be contracted to individuals through competitive bidding. The contractors are responsible for harvesting and protecting the mushrooms, giving them incentives to adopt sustainable practices.

"Contractors have developed methods like adding humus to protect the mushrooms, leading to a significant recovery in wild mushroom populations," Dong said. Under the system, wild mushroom production in the prefecture has more than doubled since 2013, rising from 20,000 metric tons to 54,500 tons last year.

The regulation will complement existing measures promoting the "forest economy", which focus on sustainable utilization of resources like wild mushrooms, and clarify rights and responsibilities related to mushroom management, collection and trade.

"The regulation provides strong policy support for the wild mushroom industry," Dong said, emphasizing the potential for increased income for residents of the town.

Conservationists like Lily Luo, founder of a company that has developed innovative ways to make wild mushroom food products, applauded the new rules.

"Excessive harvesting can harm the spread and reproduction of mushroom species," Luo said. "The regulation is a positive step toward sustainable development in this vital industry."