China is rolling out a nationwide program to tag and safeguard ancient and notable trees, framing them as vital pieces of ecological and cultural heritage. The move, announced by National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) official Zhang Liming, follows newly enacted regulations set to take effect on March 15.
Dubbed 'green national treasures' and 'living cultural relics,' these trees—some centuries old—will now receive digital identity tags for precise tracking and conservation efforts. Zhang emphasized the initiative aligns with China’s broader push to build an 'ecological civilization' and protect cultural narratives rooted in nature.
With over 100,000 ancient trees already cataloged in pilot regions, the project aims to balance urbanization with heritage preservation. Researchers and local communities will collaborate to map tree lineages, monitor health, and integrate conservation into climate resilience strategies, offering new opportunities for eco-tourism and historical education.
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China to implement tagging system for ancient, notable trees
cgtn.com
