Theoretical and Policy Discussion on the Protection of China's Natural Forests

Author: Li Zhou
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: This book focuses on forest utilization, forest policies, and forest changes, analyzing the root causes of biodiversity decline. It generally describes the transformation that has occurred from fire → war → agricultural expansion → firewood collection → commercial timber production. It elaborates on the relationship between economic development and the protection of natural forests, pointing out that the key factors for the successful implementation of natural forest protection projects include: (1) clarifying project goals and establishing a monitoring and evaluation system for implementation; (2) defining the respective responsibilities of the government and enterprises based on the identification of influencing factors; (3) transforming the business operation mechanisms of enterprises to promote job transfer and reallocation; (4) coordinating national goals with enterprise goals; (5) implementing the forester system, separating the management rights and operational rights of state-owned forests; (6) changing the "one bureau two policies" approach to "one bureau one policy," retaining some enterprises while transforming others into public institutions dedicated to protection work; (7) ensuring that the funding for natural forest protection projects is fully allocated, on time, and effective; (8) eliminating the superficially high industrial structure by starting with economies of scale and institutional reform. On this basis, four case studies were completely developed. Among them, the Deqin case in Yunnan and the Pingwu case in Sichuan focus on the social roots of forest resource reduction and biodiversity decline, while the Yichun case in the northeast and the Jianfengling and Baowangling cases in Hainan separately studied the impact of natural forest protection on state-owned forest areas and landlord economies.