Driving reform of state-owned forest management in northeastern China
Over the past decade, China has placed increased emphasis on the concept of “ecological civilization”. The concept prioritizes sustainable development and aims to rebalance economic development and the environment.
“Ecological civilization” now ranks alongside economic, political, cultural and social progress as one of China’s five goals listed in its overall development plan at the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012.
Despite this renewed push for environmental protection and restoration, many challenges remain.
Adequate management of state-owned forests in northeastern China is inhibited by human resource and finance limitations, in addition to extensive cutting, which has led to degradation and impacted on livelihoods.
Reforms in state-owned forest management in China
In his presentation on forest tenure, governance and regulation in the United States, Bob Harrington highlighted that there has been a widespread shift over the past decade from a timber production focus to an ecological restoration focus. This has especially been the case on federal lands to create jobs and reflect public values.
In many ways, this shift in priorities mirrors the focus on developing an “ecological civilization” that has taken place in China since it was first mentioned in 2007.
Over 60 forestry officials from the Daxing’anling Forest Management Bureau attended the Training Workshop on the Reforms of the Daxing’anling State-owned Forest Areas, held from 25 to 29 June 2017 in Beijing, China.
The reforms set out to tackle:
- Welfare of local forestry staff: The state-owned forestry Bureaus /enterprises shoulder some social responsibility providing public services, which are big burden for the enterprise, and then the staff was badly paid for many years.
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- Unsound management system: The ownership of the forest resources is central government. However, the central government has designed any particular agency for managing the forest resources.
A lower quality of the forest: Before ban of commercial logging, main profits of forestry enterprises rely on timber harvest; (only log and seldom plant). There is lack sound forestry management plan for a sustainable development.
“Ecological civilization” now ranks alongside economic, political, cultural and social progress as one of China’s five goals listed in its overall development plan at the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012.
Despite this renewed push for environmental protection and restoration, many challenges remain.
Adequate management of state-owned forests in northeastern China is inhibited by human resource and finance limitations, in addition to extensive cutting, which has led to degradation and impacted on livelihoods.
About 60 Officials from the Daxing’anling Forest Management Bureau attended the Training Workshop
Reform of forest management is therefore greatly needed.Reforms in state-owned forest management in China
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”Although there are many differences, there are many issues and challenges facing public forest agencies in the US, just like you are facing challenges here in China. These challenges and pressures are not unlike those faced by all the major forested economies of the world.”
- Bob Harrington, Montana State Forester
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In his presentation on forest tenure, governance and regulation in the United States, Bob Harrington highlighted that there has been a widespread shift over the past decade from a timber production focus to an ecological restoration focus. This has especially been the case on federal lands to create jobs and reflect public values.
In many ways, this shift in priorities mirrors the focus on developing an “ecological civilization” that has taken place in China since it was first mentioned in 2007.
Over 60 forestry officials from the Daxing’anling Forest Management Bureau attended the Training Workshop on the Reforms of the Daxing’anling State-owned Forest Areas, held from 25 to 29 June 2017 in Beijing, China.
The reforms set out to tackle:
- Welfare of local forestry staff: The state-owned forestry Bureaus /enterprises shoulder some social responsibility providing public services, which are big burden for the enterprise, and then the staff was badly paid for many years.
-
- Unsound management system: The ownership of the forest resources is central government. However, the central government has designed any particular agency for managing the forest resources.
A lower quality of the forest: Before ban of commercial logging, main profits of forestry enterprises rely on timber harvest; (only log and seldom plant). There is lack sound forestry management plan for a sustainable development.
