China releases 2008 planting program - January 18, 2008

Chinese authorities this week unveiled a reforestation plan to plant 2.5 billion trees covering more than 5.3 Mha in 2008, China’s top forest management official said yesterday.Last year, the country increased its forest coverage by 5.2 Mha, equivalent to 2.27 billion trees. It produced forest goods valued at about 1.2 trillion yuan, 9.85% more than in 2006.

State Forestry Administration Director Jia Zhibang said a recent United Nations survey on global forest resources showed that China’s annual forest plantation growth accounts for 53% of human-generated global forest growth. China’s man-made forest coverage accounts for a third of the world’s total.

About 666 Mha of trees in the world are cut down annually, but China contributes more than 400 Mha of forest growth to stem that, the SFA’s figures show.

“China is one of the countries that embraces fast growth of forest coverage. It has made contributions to counter the negative effects of logging,” Jia said.

Jia said forest administrations of all levels will give priority to protecting and planting trees.

“China’s target of increasing green coverage from the current 18.21-20% in 2010 must be met,” he said.

Aside from reforestation, protecting wetlands, controlling desertification and protecting wildlife are also on the SFA’s agenda for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The wetlands of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers will be put under protection, Jia said.

So far, 47% of the country’s wetlands have been effectively put under conservation, he said.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the country’s Three-North Forest Shelterbelt Program, a greenbelt established in the northwest, north central and northeast regions to buffer desertification.

Jia said Minqin county and the Shiyang River basin in Gansu and the Loess Plateau will be key areas for planters fighting encroaching sands.