“土龙骨”岂容盗掘

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the ongoing efforts to combat the illegal excavation of "Tulonggu" fossils in Inner Mongolia, emphasizing the need for improved regulatory measures and long-term protection strategies for these irreplaceable natural heritage sites [1][2]. Group 1: Illegal Excavation and Its Impact - The "Tulonggu," also known as "dragon bone," refers to ancient vertebrate fossils that are non-renewable natural heritage [1] - From December 2023 to September 2025, the Hohhot Procuratorate handled five cases of illegal excavation involving ten individuals, with over 6,000 kilograms of fossils involved [1] - Illegal excavation not only damages cultural resources but also severely impacts the ecological environment, leading to potential landslides and soil erosion [1] Group 2: Regulatory Gaps and Actions Taken - The Hohhot Procuratorate identified multiple issues in the protection of "Tulonggu," including regulatory gaps, disjointed law enforcement collaboration, and a lack of long-term mechanisms [2] - In October 2025, the Hohhot Procuratorate issued recommendations to the local Natural Resources Bureau to strengthen law enforcement oversight and enhance source control [2] - Following the recommendations, the Natural Resources Bureau initiated a project to protect ancient fossils, focusing on sealing off over 40 fossil cave entrances to prevent illegal access [2]