The "Giant Python Emerges" rock column (also known as "Giant Python Peak") is a landmark geological relic within Sanqing Mountain Global Geopark, with world-class scientific and aesthetic value. It is a rare and irreplaceable resource gifted by nature for billions of years. The Sanqing Mountain "Giant Python Peak" damage case, as the first criminal criminal case in the country involving intentional damage to natural relics and the first civil public interest litigation filed by a procuratorial organ over ecological damage to natural relics, holds extremely important warning and practical value, providing stronger and more effective legal guarantees for the high-quality advancement of the construction of the World Geopark. Sanqingshan Global Geopark will always uphold the bottom line of geological heritage protection, strictly punish acts of damage according to law, and build a strong line of defense for ecological protection and tourism development through strict discipline.

1. Basic facts of the case
Around April 2017, Zhang Mouming, Mao Mouming, and Zhang Mou agreed to climb Giant Python Peak on Sanqing Mountain. In the early hours of April 15, 2017, Zhang Mouming, Mao Mouming, and Zhang Mou began climbing the base of Giant Python Peak, carrying electric drills, rock spikes, hammers, ropes, and other tools. During the climb, Zhang Mouming drove rock spikes in dangerous spots, while Mao and Zhang climbed along the rock spikes and ropes Zhang had set up. The three worked together to reach the top of Giant Python Peak. On-site investigation revealed that Zhang Mouming had driven 26 rock spikes into Giant Python Peak. Experts assessed that the "value loss assessment value of the Python Peak case" should not be lower than the minimum threshold of 11.9 million yuan for loss of non-use value caused by the incident.
The procuratorial organs initiate criminal prosecution and civil public interest litigation respectively.

2. Case Judgment Results
The People's Court's effective criminal judgment held that the core scenic area of Sanqing Mountain is a scenic site protected by China's criminal law. Sanqing Mountain has been listed as a World Natural Heritage Site and a World Geopark Directory. The Jumangfeng geological site is a precious landmark and its most central part, possessing significant scientific, aesthetic, and economic value. Defendants Zhang Mouming, Mao Mouming, and Zhang Mou violated social management order by using destructive climbing methods to climb Giant Python Peak and causing damage. The circumstances are serious, and their actions all constitute the crime of intentionally damaging famous scenic spots and historic sites. Zhang Mouming was sentenced to one year in prison and fined 100,000 yuan; Mao Mouming was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for one year, and fined 50,000 yuan; Zhang was exempted from criminal punishment.
The effective civil judgment of the people's court holds that the ecological environment is the foundation of human survival and development. Chinese law clearly regards natural relics and scenic spots as environmental elements for protection, stipulating that all units and individuals have the obligation to protect the environment. Those who cause damage due to ecological destruction shall bear tort liability. Zhang Mouming, Mao Mouming, and Zhang Mou used rock spikes to climb, causing irreparable permanent harm to Giant Python Peak, harming public interests and constituting joint infringement. Taking into account the rarity of Giant Python Peak as a World Natural Heritage site, the severity of the consequences caused by Zhang Mouming, Mao Mouming, and Zhang's actions, and the broad social impact, and taking into account the financial conditions and compensation capacity of the three individuals, the court ordered Zhang Mouming, Mao Mouming, and Zhang Mou to jointly compensate 6 million yuan for environmental resource losses and pay 150,000 yuan in expert fees, and published a national media announcement to apologize to the public.
3. Typical significance of the case

On November 12, 2024, the Supreme People's Court included this case among the top ten most influential environmental and resource trial cases over the past decade. Both the criminal and civil judgments in this case were designated as guiding cases of the Supreme People's Court, possessing nationwide value for unified legal application and exemplary leadership. The public verdict in this case draws a legal red line against uncivilized behavior during tourism, warning the public not to damage natural landscapes with outstanding universal value. It not only evaluates the actions of the three defendants but also reflects a strict judicial philosophy of ecological protection, clearly conveying the judicial orientation of protecting natural heritage and famous landmarks, thereby guiding the public to establish a correct view of ecological civilization and deepening the concept of environmental public interest litigation. It further clarifies that in the process of advancing ecological civilization construction, Everyone should bear the responsibility of ecological protection, cherish and treat the natural resources and ecological environment on which humanity depends for survival and development, regulate people's environmental behavior, and uphold the dignity of the law.

【Document Index】
Intermediate People's Court of Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, Criminal Judgment No. (2018) Gan 11 Xing Chu 34 (December 26, 2019)
High People's Court of Jiangxi Province, Criminal Ruling No. (2020) Gan Xing Zhong 44 (May 18, 2020)
Intermediate People's Court of Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, Civil Judgment No. (2018) Gan 11 Min Chu 303 (December 27, 2019)
High People's Court of Jiangxi Province, Civil Judgment No. (2020) Gan Min Zhong 317 (May 18, 2020)