Zhejiang charts next chapter in sustainable forestry

Xinchuan village in Meishan town, Changxing county, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, presents a blend of hills, a clear river, and modern homes. [Photo/IC]

East China's Zhejiang province has been developing sustainable forestry in recent years.

The provincial forestry department recently completed the Zhejiang Forest Landscape Enhancement Master Plan (2025-30), which specialists agreed will play a key role in improving forest quality, enhancing livability, and advancing harmony between humans and nature.

Two decades ago, the mining tools fell silent in Yucun village, Anji county, which marked a turning point in Zhejiang's ecological transition. Today, the province boasts 61.27 percent forest coverage, an annual forestry output value of 670 billion yuan ($93.18 billion), and about 266,667 hectares of forest.

Forests now serve as the province's vital ecological shield, conserving an estimated 19.8 billion cubic meters of water annually and generating ecological benefits valued at over 4 billion yuan each year.