Jilin launches five-year forest plan

Jilin province in Northeast China launched a five-year plan at the start of the year to increase forest coverage, according to a recent announcement by Jilin's forestry and grassland bureau.

The plan is part of efforts by the province to build an ecological barrier of trees to protect local farmland and the midwestern areas of Jilin.

From 2019 to 2023, 1.14 million mu (75,667 hectares) of trees are expected to be planted in the cities of Changchun, Siping, Songyuan, Baicheng and Gongzhuling, with a total of 31 locations involved in the project.

The shelter projects will include the development of shelter belts covering a total area of 421,000 mu, and the renovation of existing tree belts measuring a total of 210,000 mu. The damaged belts have been degraded due to tree diseases, weather, and man-made destruction.

In addition, old trees covering an area measuring 504,000 mu will be cut down, as they are no longer efficient in protecting local farmland.