Now Reading: South Korea planted 12 billion trees to revive post-war forests
-
01
South Korea planted 12 billion trees to revive post-war forests
South Korea's forest volume grew from 10.6 cubic metres per hectare in 1960 to 60.3 in 1999, and by 2020 it was 29 times the 1953 level, according to the Times of…
The Story in Brief
South Korea's forest volume grew from 10.6 cubic metres per hectare in 1960 to 60.3 in 1999, and by 2020 it was 29 times the 1953 level, according to the Times of India. The recovery followed a massive reforestation drive that began in 1959 and planted more than 12 billion trees over 31 years, covering 4.5 million hectares by 1992. The government selected fast-growing species to stabilise degraded hillsides and later introduced commercial trees. Protection and reduced firewood use were equally important, as newly planted forests needed time to mature. However, the new forests differ from the original ecosystems, with native species gradually replacing some planted trees through natural regeneration.
The Indian Opinion
South Korea's story is often held up as a tree-planting miracle, but the real lesson is more nuanced. The drive succeeded only because planting was paired with strict protection and a shift away from firewood. Many countries, including India, now push ambitious planting targets without ensuring young trees survive or allowing native species to regenerate naturally. The question for India's own campaigns is not just how many saplings are put in the ground, but how many are still standing and growing five years later.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
