A: The "Natural Forest Protection Project" of Tibet is an important
facet of an afforestation project launched by the Chinese government on the upper
reaches of the Yangtze River, and upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River.
It is also an important part of the western development strategy.
In recent
years, there has been an increase in natural disasters and abnormal climate. This
has mainly been caused by the reduction of vegetation coverage and consequent
soil erosion on the upper reaches of certain rivers. The Central Government has
therefore taken the decision to invest 103.5 billion yuan in a natural forest
protection project, which commenced in 2000. The project covers a total of 770
counties in 13 provinces (municipalities, autonomous regions), on the upper reaches
of the Yangtze River and the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River.
Major tasks within the project include halting the felling of natural forests
in the project area; strengthening the management and protection of forest resources;
exerting greater efforts in planting trees and closing hillsides to facilitate
afforestation; accelerating afforestation on barren land and mountains in the
project areas; raising the grassland and forest coverage; relocating inhibitants
living in forest areas; and strengthening infrastructure construction of ecological
protection. |
