Guangzhou ups subsidies for forest protection

Guangzhou gave the green light to a scheme to provide a total of 360 million yuan ($53.5 million) to people who help conserve the city's forests, on Aug 10.

The scheme provides subsidies for ecological protection as well as upkeep fees and clarifies a range of compensation for those taking care of forests in natural reserves, forest parks, trees lining high ways and railways and forest in ecological landscapes. More than two million foresters will benefit from the scheme.  

According to the scheme, ecological forest protection will be divided into three classes to replace the former four classes and subsidies will be given according to the class. For each class, the subsidy rises to 915 yuan per acre every year, 610 yuan per acre every year and 488 yuan per acre every year. Moreover, the subsidies will increase by 2 percent annually.

Guangzhou is the only city in Guangdong province to offers diversified subsidies for ecological forest protection. It aims to encourage people to take an active part in taking care of the forest.