Forum seeks insight on ecological security barrier

A forum on establishing an ecological security barrier in Inner Mongolia was held in Hohhot, the region's capital on April 22.

Over 80 experts, academics and researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural & Animal Husbandry Sciences and Inner Mongolia University, some and 24 institutions participated in the forum.

Attendees discussed the overall blueprint, technical support and theoretical research into the construction of a barrier for long-term ecological security and gave their suggestions in related areas.

The region, is situated at the northern area of China and borders Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Jilin, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces -- as well as Ningxia Hui autonomous region -- to the east, south and west.

Inner Mongolia is an area of diversified ecological systems. It is of great significance in working as a barrier for national security in northern China.

According to the latest statistics from the region's forestry and grassland department, as of March 21, Inner Mongolia had a total of 26.13 million hectares of forests, with a forest coverage rate of 22.1 percent.