Forest in Lizhong town, Xinhua city, Jiangsu province (CFP Photo)

Jiangsu Province has issued a guideline to implement a forest chief scheme by the end of this December. 

The province will clarify the responsibilities in forest management and make sure the scheme’s smooth operation. 

According to the guideline, Jiangsu will increase its forest stock volume while keeping area of afforested land stable. The province also set up a series of goals in terms of preventing and controlling fire, pests, and other damages by 2025.  

In addition to a general forest chief, the province will have forest chiefs at other regional levels. Efforts will be made to protect forest-based culture and natural heritage.

In 2020, Jiangsu started trials of the forest chief scheme in one city and seven counties (county-level cities and districts), which has established a 3-tier scheme. At the end of 2020, Jiangsu added five more counties to carry out the program.