Guiyang plans to utilize forest resources

The Guiyang people's government recently issued the "Implementation Plan for Consolidating and Enhancing the Construction of National Forest Cities in Guiyang (2023-2025)."

Its primary objectives are to fully leverage Guiyang's natural resources, establishing an ecological security barrier in the upstream regions of the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers while enhancing the functions of the forest ecosystem.

The plan specifies that by 2025, the city will complete the planting and afforestation of 13.2 million trees, ensuring a forest coverage rate of over 55 percent. Furthermore, the entire forestry industry's value chain should reach 11.8 billion yuan ($1.62 billion) and the natural environment should be significantly improved.

During the plan's implementation, Guiyang will construct a comprehensive forest system throughout the region, expanding urban green spaces and improving urban green infrastructure. The forest system development will focus on enhancing forest quality, strengthening carbon sequestration capacity, and prioritizing organic soil coverage and functional enhancement. Native tree species in the city will also be emphasized, species diversity will be increased, and biodiversity protection will be reinforced.

In addition, the plan put forward the development of a cultural forest system, including the establishment of ecological science education centers and the promotion of the underforest economy, eco-tourism, and forest health services.