Xinhua
09 Jun 2021, 07:48 GMT+10
BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- China's efforts to implement afforestation and environmental schemes in recent years have met with considerable success, a fact reflected in the large increase in forest coverage nationwide.
However, the country is now switching from the emphasis on quantity-based greening to a more balanced approach, giving greater weight to the factor of quality.
This new approach is encapsulated in a guideline on scientific greening issued recently by the State Council. The guideline encourages a more scientific approach to the planning of land-greening work, to assist government bodies and local governments with future afforestation work.
China has built the world's largest planted forests, raising its forest cover from 12 percent in the early 1980s to 23.04 percent in 2020, with its forest stock volume hitting 17.56 billion cubic meters, official data shows. But, as officials explained at a press conference on Monday, the quantity-based efforts have often come at a price.
Speaking at the press conference, Liu Dongsheng, deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA), said that, despite the success, mass tree-planting campaigns in the country have been beset by problems, such as unscientific planning and unrealistic administrative orders. Some local authorities have sought quick greening results at the cost of ecological quality, said Liu.
The new guideline seeks to address such issues, making clear the requirements regarding where land-greening work should be conducted, what species of plant the country should cultivate, how the government should implement afforestation projects, and how to monitor and evaluate the country's afforestation work, said Liu.
According to the guideline, China must improve the quality of its forests, optimize the structure and function of forests, and improve the quality, stability and carbon sequestration capacity of forest ecosystems.
Starting this year, the country will moderately reduce the proportion of artificial forests and enhance the conservation and restoration of degraded forests, according to the NFGA.
Also at the Monday press conference was Zhou Yuanbo, an official with the Ministry of Natural Resources. He hailed the new emphasis on scientific planning, and said the country should properly allocate land for greening projects, taking into consideration the land-use structure, local water resources and the suitability of plants.
For example, in urban areas, local governments should make plans and set clear greening targets, including the urban green spaces and the amount of parkland per capita, said Zhou.
Urban greening should be carried out in an economical and practical manner, Zhou said, adding that the transplanting of big trees into cities should not be allowed, since it damages the health of trees and harms the ecological environment.
Get a daily dose of Asia Pacific Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Asia Pacific Star.
More InformationDHARAMSHALA, India: The Dalai Lama turned 90 on July 6, celebrated by thousands of followers in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala,...
HONG KONG: China has fired back at the European Union in an escalating trade dispute by imposing new restrictions on medical device...
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China's position on the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea is consistent and clear. The award...
Phnom Penh [Cambodia], July 12 (ANI): Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita reaffirmed the 'strong and enduring...
The arbitration has in fact become an anchor around the Filipino people's neck, weighing the nation down economically, said Herman...
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stated that every India is elated with this recognition...
REDMOND, Washington: Artificial intelligence is transforming Microsoft's bottom line. The company saved over US$500 million last year...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A federal rule designed to make it easier for Americans to cancel subscriptions has been blocked by a U.S. appeals...
BASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...