Print This Page Email This Page
Forests' Recovery Will Take Decades

The freezing weather that hit Guangdong around the Lunar New Year caused serious damage to natural resources in the north of the province, authorities have said.

Figures from the provincial forestry department said more than 733,000 hectares of forest had been ruined, leading to estimated losses of more than 6.6 billion yuan (US$924 million).

At the Nanling National Nature Reserve, one of the most important conservation zones in south China, 90 percent of its 52,000 hectares of forest were destroyed, Gong Yuening, a director of the reserve, said.

Located in Shaoguan - the northernmost point of Guangdong - the reserve, due its usually temperate climate, was home to many varieties of yew, pine and cypress trees, as well as hemlock and other rare plant species.

But when the cold came, the plants froze to death and tress collapsed under the weight of the snow, Gong said.

"The terrible weather damaged almost the entire natural fortune of the conservation zone," he said.

"The disaster has cost us more than 300 million yuan."

Wu Zhizong, who works at the reserve, said: "Hundreds of thousands of trees have collapsed or had their branches broken since January 26.

"The sound of cracking and splintering wood went on for 10 days."

Countless animals and birds were also victims of the freezing weather, Gong said.

The ecological condition of the region has been terribly damaged, he said.

"It will take three or four decades for it to recover."

Meanwhile, after suffering the heaviest snows for 50 years, Singapore's watermelon growers have said the harvest will be delayed this year.

Zhu Longgen, vice chairman of the Shanghai Watermelon and Melon Trade Association, said half the seedlings planted last month had been destroyed.

"As a result, locally produced watermelons will not reach the market until 15 to 20 days later than usual," he said.

But local people need not worry about shortages, he said.

"We will import melons from Hainan," he said.

Prices are unlikely to rise either, he said.

Watermelons from Hainan are currently being sold at 3.5 yuan per kilogram, down 20 percent from before the Spring Festival.

(China Daily February 23, 2008)


Related Stories
- China Loses One-tenth of Forest to Snow Havoc
- Official: Heavy Snow Adds to Forest Fire Risk in Spring

Print This Page Email This Page
New Individual Tax Threshold to Go into Effect on March 1
Value of China Marine Sector to Exceed 3 Tln Yuan in 2010
Report: China's Polluted Sea Area Almost Doubles
Scientists: Rising Seas Threaten Erosion on China's shores
Infectious Diseases Claim 13,000 Lives
Second China Bird-flu Man Dies


Product Directory
China Search
Country Search
Hot Buys