Locals join the "garden city" drive
12/3/2003 15:04
Today is Tree-Planting Day in China, and in Shanghai more locals are
taking up the cause.
Some 100 local companies adopted more than 200
hectares of would-be greenbelts along the outer ring road, making a pledge to
finance tree-planting projects there until the objective is reached.
That objective, to complete a 400-square-meter greenbelt along the outer
ring road by 2005, is part of the city's three-year greening plan. The first
2,100-hectare phase will be complete within the year, with one-tenth of the
total area covered by the companies' contribution.
Local individuals are
also pitching in, either by planting trees or making donations.
The
"Citizens' Forest" is giving people a chance to watch their own personal
contributions grow and prosper. So far, more than 10,000 locals have paid to
plant a sapling in the 15-hectare woodland, which they then continue to care for
regularly.
A newly established tree-planting fund is also making an
important contribution. More than 40 million yuan (US$4.8 million) donated by
companies, institutions and individuals will be used to spruce up another 270
hectares in downtown areas.
Thanks to support from all sectors of
society, Shanghai is making quick progress in its greening program.
Ten
years ago, per capita greenery in Shanghai stood at a mere one square meter,
barely enough space to spread out one's copy of the Shanghai Daily. Now each
citizen enjoys 7.2 square meters, more than enough space for a comfortable
sitting room.
But now Shanghai is busy expanding greenery to 9 square
meters per capita, an achievement that will truly make it a "garden
city".
Vicky Xu / Shanghai Daily news
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