The State Council on Feb 15 approved the forest cutting quota during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), examined by the State Forestry Administration.

China has been implementing quota management for deforestation as forests are vital to the country’s ecological safety. According to the plan, no region or department is allowed to exceed the limits. The quota cannot be transferred or diverted from one department to another.

The State Council urged governments at all levels to prioritize forest protection, stick to natural recovery, boost forestation efforts and investigate new forest management mechanisms. Figures such as forest coverage rate and forest volume should be examined during the annual assessment of government work.

The State Council also urged forestry departments to crack down on activities that destroy forests such as land reclamation.