The government of Yunnan Province has decided to invest 310 million yuan over the next five years to build rare tree reserves.
The reserves will be scattered in 12 prefectures and cities in a total area of 13,000 hectares. A dozen species including birch, teak, fir and cypress will be planted at these bases.
Yunnan Province in southwest China has the reputation of being the country's botanical kingdom. It has 15,000 kinds of valuable tree species, including 13,600 seed plants, accounting for half of China's total.
However, a great number of trees with economic value face the danger of extinction as a result of human and natural destruction.
(Eastday.com 04/24/2001)
