In a bold move towards environmental restoration, China has unveiled a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate at least 30 percent of its degraded terrestrial, inland-water, coastal, and marine ecosystems by 2030. This ambitious initiative underscores the nation’s commitment to combating ecological degradation and promoting biodiversity.
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment released the biodiversity conservation plan on Thursday, detailing the country’s strategies for achieving these goals. A significant component of the plan involves expanding nature reserves, primarily through the establishment of national parks, which are set to encompass approximately 18 percent of China’s total land area within the next decade.
Moreover, the plan designates “red lines” for special ecological conservation zones, aiming to protect at least 150,000 square kilometers of marine territory. This measure highlights the importance placed on preserving marine ecosystems and the biodiversity they support.
The strategy outlines a multifaceted approach, including strengthening environmental laws and regulations, enhancing public awareness and participation, and implementing rigorous monitoring and evaluation systems. These efforts are aimed at ensuring the timely and effective fulfillment of the conservation objectives.
China’s rich biodiversity is significant on a global scale, housing over 10 percent of the world’s terrestrial vertebrate species and more than 36,000 species of higher plants. In recent years, the country has made substantial progress in establishing a natural land protection system. An increasing number of wildlife habitats have come under national protection, benefiting from concerted conservation initiatives.
The implementation of this plan is expected to contribute not only to national ecological well-being but also to global biodiversity conservation efforts. As ecological degradation poses a threat to ecosystems worldwide, China’s actions may serve as a model for other nations seeking to address environmental challenges.
