China will increase efforts in planting grass and trees in its desert-hazardous western and northern parts in a drive to improve the ecological environment in the regions, said a senior official Monday in Xi’an.
Li Yucai, deputy director of the State Forestry Administration, said at the ongoing China Agricultural Hi-Tech Forum that in the early 21st century, more trees and grass will be planted in the upper reach valleys of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, involving 772 counties of 13 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.
Major measures in these areas include stopping deforestation, preventing farming in slope fields and planting trees and grass instead.
The anti-desertization project covers an area of 2.76 million square km, including China’s major deserts, Li revealed.
Li also noted that China will construct the fourth phase of the Sanbei (north, northwest and northeast china) Shelter-Forest Project in the early 21st century.
(People’s Daily 11/06/2000)
