Hechi recruits forest rangers to relieve poverty

As a result of government efforts to alleviate poverty in rural areas over the past few years, there are now more than 8,000 forest rangers in Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, employed from poor families.

The 8,246 forest rangers, who work to prevent tree felling, fire, control pest and protect flora and fauna, have earned (as of the end of 2017) a total of 48.3 million yuan ($7.43 million) in income. Altogether 35,000 people have benefited from the scheme, according to Hechi's forestry bureau.

Hechi is rich in forest resources, with 19.51 million mu (1.3 million hectares) of ecological forests, ranking first in the autonomous region.

Eighty percent of the forests are in poverty-stricken areas. Combining ecological protection and targeted poverty alleviation policy, the Hechi government decided to offer forest ranger positions to eligible impoverished people.

In the future, forestry-related poverty alleviation is expected to become a main method for low-income families to increase their income.