Hohhot ancient trees to be preserved under law

A century-old elm at the playground of Guandimiao Primary School in Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region [Photo/hhhtnews]

Ancient trees in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, will be under legal protection from 1st June, according to a recently published regulation.

The regulation classifies that ancient trees are those that have lived for more than 100 years.

Currently, Hohhot has more than 4,500 ancient and rare trees.

The city has carried out surveys of the ancient trees to ensure better protection since 2014.

Comprehensive electronic and paper archives of quantity, species and location have been created, according to Bao Yin, a chief at the Hohhot Afforestation Committee.

Bao Yin said that the city will further survey the growth situation of ancient and rare trees this year.

Identity cards will be attached to all the trees.

The survey team will also input the information of ancient trees into the national recording system for trees from next month.

Many of the ancient trees in the city are at risk of human and natural destruction. The afforestation departments in the city have called for social forces to engage in the protection of ancient trees.