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China has issued a guideline to implement a "forest chief" scheme
nationwide amid the country's continuous efforts to protect forests and
grasslands. It was issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China
Central Committee and the State Council and urged that the "forest
chief" scheme will be rolled out nationwide by June 2022. "General forest chiefs" should be appointed in all provincial-level
regions, said the guideline. It clarified all levels of forest chiefs'
responsibilities in protecting forest and grassland resources. Under the scheme, China will strengthen ecological protection and
restoration of forests and grasslands, promote large-scale
afforestation, and enhance monitoring and supervision for forest and
grassland resources by utilizing modern information technologies. Efforts will also encourage the prevention and control of harmful
pests and plant diseases, as well as natural disasters such as fires. China started trials of the "forest chief" scheme in 2017, and so far
up to 23 provincial regions, including Anhui, Jiangxi and Chongqing,
have already carried out the trial program, providing the foundation for
nationwide implementation. "Nationwide implementation of the 'forest chief' scheme is a key step
in enhancing local responsibilities in ecological protection," said
Guan Zhiou, head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. Indicators measuring the performance of "forest chiefs" will include
forest coverage, forest stock volume, comprehensive vegetation coverage
of grassland and the area of desertified land restored, while specific
targets will be tailored in accordance with local conditions, according
to Guan. He said he believes nationwide implementation of the scheme will help
pool resources and strength to enhance the protection of China's forest
and grassland resources.
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