Green view along the Zhenjiang section of Yangtze River. [Photo/VCG]
As spring approaches, it’s the best time to plant trees. The key task in Jiangsu’s afforestation plan this year is to build a green corridor on both banks of the Yangtze River, amid efforts to restore the river’s ecological environment.
At the end of last year, Jiangsu Provincial Forestry Bureau organized experts to research the green coverage along the river and then formulated the “Overall Plan for Afforestation Projects in the Jiangsu Section of the Yangtze River”. According to the plan, Jiangsu will increase the green coverage area by 19,790 mu (13.19 km2) in 38 districts of eight cities by the end of 2020 and fully realize the afforestation goal on riverbanks by 2025.
The plan has kicked off many campaigns in different cities. Nanjing has built more trees to protect dykes, improved quality of riverside forest, and launched afforestation projects in villages close to the river. Zhenjiang will expand the afforestation initiatives to cover the river’s main streams and tributaries. Jingjiang of Taizhou city will phase out 400-mu farms from the riverside and transform the areas into wetlands. Taixing of Taizhou city will invest 620 million yuan ($92.3 million) for building ecological wetland and green corridor projects along the river.
