Beijing awarded ‘National Forest City’ title

Beijing: Beijing has been designated as the “National Forest City” by China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration due to its consistent efforts in increasing forest coverage. The city’s forest coverage rate has risen from 38.6 percent in 2012 to 44.8 percent presently, Xinhua reported.

The city boasts 2,088 species of vascular plants and 608 species of terrestrial vertebrates, making it one of the most biodiverse metropolises, Cheng Jianhua, deputy secretary general of Beijing Municipal People’s Government, told a press conference.

“Winning the title is a full affirmation of Beijing’s persistent adherence to green development,” he said.

Cheng added that the city will continue to expand ecological space, implement land greening programmes, and improve its ecosystem stability, sustainability, and diversity.

The National Forest City campaign was launched in 2004 to improve the urban environment. So far, 219 cities across the country have been granted the title.

“The campaign has become an effective way to improve the ecological well-being of the people and an important platform to popularise ecological knowledge,” said Xu Jide, an official with the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

A prime example of this change is the Central Green Forest Park which transformed from a contaminated industrial estate to a 5.5 sq km oasis of nature in the heart of Beijing, China.

The Central Green Forest Park, designed by HASSELL based around the traditional 24-season Chinese lunar calendar. It plays a crucial role in the ecological restoration of a former chemicals factory site in Beijing. It has quickly become a favored green area in the city, offering various recreational and educational activities.

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