State forest project launched in Nanyang

A state forest project with a planned cost of 36.7 billion yuan ( $5.3 billion) was officially launched in the city of Nanyang after the signing ceremony between the Henan branch of the China Development Bank (CDB) and two companies from Nanyang and Dengzhou on Dec 20.

The total construction area of the Nanyang state forest project is 3.9 million mu (260, 000 hectares), accounting for one-fifth of Henan's total national forest reserves. The project will be divided into three phases. It is the largest, most expensive national forest project ever undertaken in northern China.

The first phase of the project will begin this year and will consist of afforesting 890,000 mu of land, cultivating 640,000 mu of young and middle-aged forests, and upgrading 160,000 mu of existing forests. As of now, 291,000 mu of land has already been afforested.

Nanyang is located at the source of the middle line of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. Increasing forest coverage and ensuring water supply safety are important livelihood projects. The city's distinct topography, which consists of mountains, hills and plains, makes it an ideal place for the state forest project.

Nanyang recently launched a state forest project with a planned cost of 36.7 billion yuan ($5.3 billion). [Photo/china.com]