Before shooting

rubbish left on the site

The producers of director Chen Kaige's fantasy movie The Promise have been fined 90,000 yuan for damaging a historic site in Shangrila in the northern part of Yunnan Province.

A deputy magistrate of Shangrila county was also fired for his involvement in the production, said sources with the Ministry of Construction Friday (Aug 11).

>>More detail on "The Promise crew damage historic site in Yunnan"

The local department of construction criticized the film crew for littering and destroying vegetation at a scenic nature reserve known as Blue Sky Pond during production in 2004.

The ministry ordered local departments to dismantle the temporary structures left by the crew.

Earlier this year the filmmakers were accused of cutting a swath through a field of azalea bushes to make way for an unpaved road. They also left behind piles of rubbish and several structures, including a 13-metre-high steel-framed house. The blooming azaleas lent a surreal look of beauty to parts of the film that featured the runaway romance of two main characters.

The ministry on Friday released results of its detailed investigation into the case. It said the filmmakers built a 100-meter-long gravel that was four meters wide.

The house and roads damaged the ecology and scared Blue Sky Pond, said the ministry.

The temporary structures have now been removed and rubbish cleared. The 16-square-kilometer area around Blue Sky Pond is recovering.

China brought in tougher controls over film shooting and live performances in scenic areas following the case.

In a circular to provincial authorities in May the Ministry of Construction said such activities would be subject to strict scrutiny or not permitted.

Filmmakers or activity organizers have to submit plans to provincial authorities providing details on how they will protect the environment.

Their activities will be restricted at major national scenic areas and approved only by the ministry.

Editor: Wing