BEACON TRANSCRIPT – A recent study carried on by the Michigan’s State University has pointed out that China’s forest conservation program has paid off. Since the implementation of the so-called Natural Forest Conservation Program or the NFCP, China has recovered many acres of green canopy, destroyed by illegal logging or conversion to hinterlands.

According to a new study performed by the State’s University of Michigan, it would seem that China’s green canopy is recovering, after being destroyed by decades of illegal lumbering or conversion into areas needed for sustainable agriculture.

The study, which was published on Friday, said that regarding forest conservation, the NFCP is undoubtedly the largest conservation scheme since the beginning of the 21^st century.

The Natural Forest Conservation Program started back in 1982, after China passed the Forestry Law of People’s Republic of China bill, during the 6^th National Congress, which took place on the 20^th of September 1982.

Apart from its mandate of preserving China’s green canopy, the NFCP even rewards citizen if they point out people involved in illegal logging activities.

Jianguo Liu, the lead author of the study, said that this program is working wonders on China’s green canopy. And since air pollution is one of China’s primary concern, it’s good news to hear that the forests are mending quite well.

Moreover, even NASA confirms that the forests are doing well. To study the green canopy and its process of recovery, the team of scientists from Michigan’s State University took advantage of NASA’s MRIS (moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer) and other satellite imaginary solutions.

Using the above-mentioned instruments, the team has determined that approximately 1.6 percent of China’s territory is showing improvement. This means that the forests on an area of 157.300 square kilometers are healing. Furthermore, during their study of China’s green region, which took place between 2000 and 2010, the team said that the areas in question have gained many trees.

However, during the same period, China lost an additional 37.200 square kilometers of forest due to illegal logging. But the situation isn’t as green as it may seem, according to the study.

Although there are still regions fighting against deforestation, China has gained more trees than it lost over the past decade. Moreover, the team said that the program can refocus its efforts towards repopulating these areas with more trees.

After the program had started, the team said that China began to rely less on its timber and import more from the neighboring countries. Whether this move is detrimental to the other’s green canopy, the team could not establish.

All in all, the team stressed out the fact that the forest conservation program enacted by China in the early ‘80s is widely considered one of the most successful attempts to conserve the green canopy.

Photo credits:wikipedia