China News Service, Beijing, April 14 (Reporter Chen Su) The "Several Opinions on Strengthening Grassland Protection and Restoration" (hereinafter referred to as the "Opinions") issued by the General Office of the State Council of China recently stated that by 2025, the grassland protection and restoration system will be basically With the establishment, the contradiction between grassland and livestock has been significantly eased, the grassland degradation trend has been fundamentally curbed, the grassland comprehensive vegetation coverage has stabilized at about 57%, and the grassland ecological conditions have continued to improve.
On the 14th, the State Forestry and Grassland Administration of China held a regular press conference for the second quarter of 2021 to interpret the relevant content of the "Opinions".
Tang Fanglin, director of the Department of Grassland Management of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration of China, said that grassland is an important ecological system and natural resource in China, as well as a means of production and homes for people of all ethnic groups in the frontier.
For a long time, 90% of grasslands have been degraded to varying degrees due to heavy use and light protection of grasslands, heavy demand and light input, overgrazing and the impact of climate change.
Tang Fanglin said that in recent years, China has continuously strengthened grassland protection and restoration, which has initially curbed the overall grassland degradation trend.
However, due to the fragile grassland ecosystem, the contradiction between grassland protection and development and utilization is still prominent. Grassland protection and restoration work is at a critical stage of climbing over hurdles and retreating if it is not advanced. Grassland work urgently needs to be strengthened.
"In order to further strengthen grassland protection and restoration, the General Office of the State Council has issued the "Opinions." Tang Fanglin said that the "Opinions" are the first national-level policy documents after China's grassland positioning has shifted from production-oriented to ecologically-oriented. The top-level design of grassland work and detailed work measures are of milestone significance in promoting the ecological protection and restoration of China's grassland and promoting green development, marking the stepping into a new stage of strengthening protection and restoration of grassland.
The "Opinions" also proposed that by 2035, the grassland protection and restoration system will be more complete, the grassland and livestock balance will be basically achieved, the degraded grassland will be effectively managed and restored, the grassland comprehensive vegetation coverage will be stabilized at about 60%, and the grassland ecological and production functions will be significant Ascension plays a prominent role in the construction of a beautiful China.
By the middle of this century, degraded grasslands have been comprehensively managed and restored, and the grassland ecosystem has achieved a virtuous cycle, forming a new pattern of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
Tang Fanglin said that the "Opinions" clarified work measures such as carrying out grassland monitoring and evaluation, implementing basic grassland protection systems, implementing major grassland ecological restoration and governance projects, vigorously developing grass seed industry, and improving grassland contracting management systems. China will also refine the evaluation indicators for grassland protection, implement a target responsibility system for local governments, focus on improving grassland governance capabilities, and build green grasslands. (Finish)