Plan to cover half of province in forest area by 2017

Forest cover will take up more than half of the total land area of Guizhou province by the end of 2017, according to a three-year plan by the provincial government.

The plan aims to improve the region's ecosystems and promote a balanced development between Guizhou's economy and the environment.

More than 600,000 hectares of forest area will be added to the existing forest coverage in Guizhou within the next three years, while 200,000 hectares of existing forests will be revitalized so they are more productive, according to the plan.

Measures will be taken to reduce fire and insect risks to forests, and the total value of the forestry industry is expected to exceed 120 billion yuan ($19.33 billion) by the end of 2017, the forestry bureau of Guizhou said.

Authorities will take measures to encourage the development of industries featuring locally grown agricultural products, such as tea, walnuts and herbal medicines, said Li Ping, deputy head of Guizhou's forestry bureau.

Authorities also plan to improve landscaping in both urban and rural areas, and intensify their protection of forest resources, he said.

Guizhou will ensure a balance between ecological protection and economic development, Li said.

"A good ecology will become the most prominent and eternal brand for Guizhou, and green will become the dominant color of colorful Guizhou," he said.

Wang Xiaodong

(China Daily 06/26/2015 page5)