China's Efforts to Combat Deforestation and Grassland Destruction

China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration has made significant progress in combating illegal deforestation and grassland destruction. Since announcing the second batch of typical deforestation and grassland destruction cases in May, the administration has restored 169 hectares of damaged vegetation and reclaimed 176 hectares of occupied forest and grassland.

The administration has implemented the forest chief responsibility system to strengthen the protection of forests and grasslands. This system assigns specific responsibilities for designated areas, ensuring that local authorities are accountable for safeguarding and developing forest and grassland resources.

The administration recently announced the third batch of typical deforestation and grassland destruction cases, involving six instances of illegal occupation of forest and grassland. The administration will supervise the rectification of these cases.

One of the cases involves Mankuang Panxin Mining Co, which illegally occupied 21 hectares of national public forests and natural forests in Sichuan province for quarrying and mining since 2009. This resulted in significant harm to forest resources and the ecological environment.

"We will persist in reinforcing the forest chief responsibility system and intensifying efforts to combat illegal and criminal activities that harm forest and grass resources," said Liu Keyong, director of the resources department at the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

The forest chief responsibility system has been pivotal in advancing the restoration of forests and grasslands and enhancing ecological conservation. Since last year, investigations into 1,505 forest-related illegal cases in Fujian and Jiangxi provinces have led to the recovery of 519 hectares of forest.

By June 2022, the forest chief system had been fully implemented nationwide. This has resulted in a decrease in forestry and grassland administrative cases and a boost in ecological environment restoration.