The State Forestry Administration presented Zhuhai and 21 other Chinese municipalities National Forest City plaques at a forum in Yan’an City of Shaanxi Province on Sept 18.

The National Forest City award is the highest recognition for achieving an ecological civilization. In the Pearl River Delta, both Zhuhai and Zhaoqing now join Guangzhou, Huizhou, and Dongguan in holding the coveted title.

As early as 2004, the State Forestry Administration launched the National Forest City Program intent upon magnifying urban-rural forest and green space and promoting ecological civilization for sound economic and social development.

The forum at which Zhuhai is presented the plaque of a National Forest City [Photo courtesy Southcn.com]

Assessment criteria involved 40 indicators in five categories. For example, city forest coverage rate must exceed 35 percent, with green space covering 40+ percent in urban areas. Meanwhile, per capita park green area of 11+ sq m, road landscaping of over 80 percent, tree canopy exceeding 25 percent over streets, compulsory tree planting accountability of at least 80 percent, and public support and satisfaction toward having a forest city covering over 80 percent of the land must be achieved. Furthermore, forest health, protection and economy, ecological culture, and forest management must also be addressed.

Zhuhai adhered to two major themes since vowing to build a National Forest City in 2010: adding more greenery to city lands, and building commitment among residents.

With more than five years of tireless effort, Zhuhai’s level of urban greening has continuously improved and its ecological network substantially expanded. Having met all requirements of the 40 indicators, Zhuhai not only relishes the title, but also reaps the benefits of being a coast characterized forested metropolis.