Environmentalists Sound Alarm Over China’s Relaxed Forest Rules

A recent policy from China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) has eased project approval processes to boost economic growth, raising concerns among environmentalists and legal experts about its potential to sideline environmental protections and undermine existing laws [para. 1]. Issued in mid-October, the policy outlines relaxed requirements for projects involving forests, wetlands, and desertifying lands, allowing construction to start on major projects before formal approvals are obtained [para. 2][para. 3]. The policy is a move to support economic priorities, as noted by environmental lawyer Zeng Xiangbin, who argues that the NFGA is shifting from a regulatory role to that of a service provider [para. 5].

Critics, including representatives from the Cross-Border Environment Concern Association (CECA), caution that while the policy aims to stimulate economic development, it may inadvertently justify illegal practices due to lenient regulations [para. 6]. The policy permits key projects—those critical to national needs or designated by provincial governments—to commence construction ahead of completing formalities [para. 7]. This approach continues a trend seen in previous policies that allowed for preliminary approvals for large national and provincial projects [para. 8].

The potential impact of the new policy could be extensive, particularly with large-scale projects like those planned in Zhejiang province for 2024, which include a broad range of infrastructure developments worth over a trillion yuan ($138 billion) [para. 11]. Such projects, which might begin altering landscapes before gaining formal approval, risk turning subsequent approval processes into mere formalities [para. 9][para. 10].

For energy, transportation, and water conservancy projects with lengthy timelines, the policy permits up to four years of temporary land use—double the time allowed by China's Forest Law, which could lead to oversight gaps and ecological issues [para. 12][para. 13]. Environmental experts express concern that these extended periods may increase the likelihood of environmental damage due to prolonged lapses in monitoring and enforcement [para. 13].

Moreover, the policy's provisions for wetland projects and wildlife assessments could further weaken regulatory oversight. If projects do not significantly impact ecological functions, NFGA consultation is not required, and impact assessments may be delegated to local authorities [para. 16]. This decentralization and the use of vague terms like "significantly impact" may create loopholes and uncertainties in enforcement, as noted by legal experts [para. 17]. Following the NFGA's policy release, provinces like Zhejiang have issued related regulations, such as extending temporary land use periods and easing environmental assessment requirements [para. 19].

In summary, while the NFGA’s new policy seeks to accelerate economic development through eased regulations, it poses potential risks to ecological systems and raises legal concerns about its alignment with existing laws. The policy's long-term ramifications include possible environmental degradation and complications in legal enforcement due to inconsistencies and relaxed oversight standards [para. 1][para. 13][para. 17].