16 detained over environmental damage in reserve

Sixteen people have been detained on suspicion of destroying environmental resources in Qilian Mountains National Natural Reserve in Gansu province, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said on Monday.

The 16 suspects, who were involved in eight environmental pollution cases in the reserve, were detained between January and October, according to the SPP.

"We will severely punish those who pollute the environment, or officials who neglect their duties by covering up such cases, in order to create a deterrent," the SPP said on Monday.