Yunnan proposes to gradually restore degraded ecosystems in dry-hot river valleys by 2030

Yunnan Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau recently issued the "Yunnan Province DryHot Valley Ecological Belt Construction Forestry and Grassland Implementation Plan," which proposes to promote the gradual restoration of degraded ecosystems in dryhot valley areas by 2030, and achieve coordinated progress in ecological protection, industrial development, and livelihood improvement by 2035. Yunnan's dryhot valleys are mainly distributed across the Jinsha River, Red River, Nu River, Pearl River, and Lancang River basins, covering 53 counties (cities, districts) in 13 prefectures (cities) across the province. The plan shows that this region is characterized by a hot and dry climate, low vegetation coverage, and severe soil and water loss, while also being an important distribution area for Yunnan's specialty economic crops. The plan requires that development activities be strictly restricted in ecologically sensitive areas, and that underforest economies be moderately developed in areas that meet the requirements; at the same time, protection of rare and endangered species and important habitats should be strengthened, and early warning for forest and grassland fires, pest and disease prevention and control, and management of invasive alien species should be improved. Yunnan will also continue to follow the principle of matching greening with water availability, advance land greening, natural restoration, and the use of native tree species, and support the development of industries such as underforest planting, forestraised poultry and livestock, and forest beekeeping, encouraging local people to participate in ecological construction and resource protection and management.