Incidental civil public interest litigation to the criminal action against Zhang * Shan et al. for illegal mining

Zhang Shan and other defendants illegally mined and transported more than 46,000 tons of Yangtze River sand within a national nature reserve for freshwater dolphins, causing severe ecological damage valued at over CNY 5 million. Because the crime spanned multiple provinces (Anhui and Jiangsu), the Supreme People’s Court designated the People’s Court of Dongtai City to exercise jurisdiction. The court convicted the defendants of illegal mining and concealing criminal gains, imposed imprisonment and fines, and ordered joint compensation and a public apology. After the judgment took effect, the court transferred the restoration funds to Tongling City (Anhui Province) for ecological restoration and finless porpoise protection. The case clarified rules for designated jurisdiction and cross-regional transfer of restoration funds for basin-wide environmental damage.