China's environmental watchdog recently confirmed damages made by the shooting crew of The Promise on a scenic spot in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Initial investigation made by the Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Environmental Protection shows the film crews did cause environmental damages by building a wooden hut and a bridge, paving a sand road, cutting azaleas on large tracks, inserting 100-plus poles into the lakebed, and scattering rubbish everywhere in the course of shooting footage at Bigu Lake in Yunnan Province in 2004, said Zhu Xingxiang, head of environmental evaluation department under the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA).

The crew neither conducted environmental impact assessments in advance, nor rendered an application to environmental protection departments. The case might be a breach of law, Zhu said.

The SEPA is probing into the case and urging environmental departments in Yunnan to handle the case properly at an early date. When the investigation results comes out, it will be made public, he added.

Ms. Yang, director of the office of Chen Hong, the movie's producer and Chen Kaige's wife, refused reporter's require of contacts with the couple.

Earlier this month, Chen Hong was quoted by media as saying the crew had left "enough money" for the local government to deal with the aftermath.

The Promise, directed by Oscar-nominated director Chen Kaige, costs 35 million U.S. dollars. The film crew is criticized by the public for damaging local environment.

Referring to current state of the shooting site, Zhu said the litter has been cleared up and the wooden bridge has been dismantled. But the withered azalea failed to blossom.

He hoped the case would help accelerate the revision of existing law on environmental impact assessment.

The SEPA is pushing forward the revision of the environmental impact assessment, including augment of details, especially the influence of human activities on environment.

In addition, the State Council is to issue a regulation on the management of scenic spots. It will comprise articles on film shooting and cultural performance at scenic spots and on punishment of human damage on natural landscape.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2006)