"Film crews always ignore this traditional regulation and fail to get the nod of approval before shooting," he said.

Meanwhile, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has further tightened its control measures, announcing further restrictions on films shot in its scenic spots.

The Oscar-winning "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and "Hero" produced by Chinese director Zhang Yimou, used some scenic spots there for shooting without permission, the Urumqi Evening News said, though it did not say if the film crews had harmed the environment.

International experience

The selection of the site is crucial to the success of the film, said renowned Oscar laurel winner Oliver Stone, in relation to one of his recent works "Alexander" filmed over three continents.

But he said, although his movie expenses had quadrupled from US$25 million in the 1980s, to almost US$100 million now, and even though he tries to save money anywhere any time, he never limits the amount spent on cleaning the shooting sites.

Famous tourist hotspot Switzerland has always been a prime location for shooting films.

Simon Bosshart, director of the China Office of the Switzerland Tourism Administration, told Environment China that about 400 Indian films had been shot in Switzerland in recent years.

"Scenic area protection in film shooting has become a sensitive issue in our country," he said.

Film crews are not allowed to film at the top of snowy mountains and no vehicles can be used in neighbouring areas.

When vehicles enter scenic areas they are not allowed to travel over eight kilometres per hour.

A recent imax film called the "Giant of Alps" is being shot in Switzerland and is being made by the Switzerland Tourism Administration.

One of the film's scenes is an avalanche to showcase the power of nature. The crew have come up with the solution of "creating an artificial snow mountain, instead of damaging a part of the mountain."

(China Daily 08/14/2006 page8)

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