China has issued a guideline to implement a "forest chief" scheme nationwide amid the country's continuous efforts to protect forests and grasslands.
It was issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council and urged that the "forest chief" scheme will be rolled out nationwide by June 2022.
"General forest chiefs" should be appointed in all provincial-level regions, said the guideline. It clarified all levels of forest chiefs' responsibilities in protecting forest and grassland resources.
Under the scheme, China will strengthen ecological protection and restoration of forests and grasslands, promote large-scale afforestation, and enhance monitoring and supervision for forest and grassland resources by utilizing modern information technologies.
Efforts will also encourage the prevention and control of harmful pests and plant diseases, as well as natural disasters such as fires.
