Forestry Policy And Management In Ancient China

Thwas theswas selected the ancient Chinese forestry policies and administration as the research object, then analyzed the forestry policy’s contents, influences, forest management functions and organizations from Pre-Qin period to Ming and Qing dynasties. The study analyzed the features of forestry policies and forest management from different dynasties with three indexes, namely forest protection and forest cultivation and forest utilization. Based on the change of forestry policies and forest management in focus, thwas study demonstrated the evolution of ancient Chinese forestry policies and forest management, filled the blank in the study of general hwastory of ancient China forestry policy and management. The study indicated that the ancient Chinese forestry policies and forest management had gone through six stages, which included sprouting, embryonic, rwasing, developing, mature and sturdy.The first stage was the bud of forestry policies and forest management in ancient China, namely Pre-Qin period, before221BC. In the period of the Pre-Qin Dynasty, the key point of forestry policies and forest management was forest utilization. During thwas period, there were luxuriant forests and small population. The forests appeared largely unaffected by human activity. After the Western Zhou Dynasty, people were understanding the nature of heaven and earth gradually. Influenced by the Pre-Qin culture, the ruler started to guide the initial forest utilization.The second stage was the embryonic form of forestry policy and forest management in ancient China, namely Qin and Han dynasties, before221BC-AD220. In this period, the key point of forestry policies and forest management was forest utilization and forest cultivation. The rulers developed a lot of unprecedented policies which still affected the current policy, such as the cultivation of forest for military defense, the origin of landscape culture and the cultivation of street trees. However, with the lack of awareness of forest protection, the forestry policies and forest management were still simple.The third stage was the rising of forestry policy and forest management in ancient China, namely Wei Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties,220-581. In this period, forestry policies and forest management payed equal attention to forest utilization, forest cultivation and forest protection. This period was the most chaotic and turbulent stage in Chinese history, with political power changing frequently. To stabilize the social order and develop the production as soon as possible, each rulers issued the policies to utilize forest orderly, award farming and prohibit deforestation at the beginning of regnum. The forest management was balanced and comprehensive.The fourth stage was the development of forestry policy and forest management in ancient China, namely Sui and Tang dynasties,581-960AD. In this period, forestry policies and forest management payed more attention to forest cultivation. With national strength growing and the productivity level increasing unceasingly, the ruler had realized the economic and environmental value of forest. The forest management gave priority to planting and cultivation. So man-made forest were developing rapidly, such as the green forest, ornamental forest and economic forest.The fifth stage was the maturity of forestry policies and forest management in ancient China, namely Song and Yuan,960-1368AD. In the period, forestry policies and forest management focused on the forest protection and forest cultivation. Our country entered a stage of rapid development in this stage, but the rapid decrease of forest resources couldn’t catch the growing demand for trees. Natural forest had been almost clear cut,so it was necessary to add artificial cultivated trees. Social development was affected by short of forest resources, the ruler had to strengthen forest cultivation policy. At the same time, forest protection firstly became the major measure to ease tensions, and had been listed as the key object of government’s forest management.The sixth stage was the perfect of forestry policy in ancient China., namely Ming and Qing Dynasties,1368-1840AD. In this period, forestry policies and forest management emphasized on forest utilization and forest protection. China’s feudal society developed to the highest point. However, the rapid development of society made the increasing depletion of natural forest resources. And affected by the urban construction and farming, the area of forest withered seriously. So the rulers had to take severe policy to protect forestry, strengthen forest management. The various forestry policies and forest management in this period had been similar to the present age.Based on the research of the above six stages, the study found that the ancient Chinese forestry policy and forest management showed a clear sequence of development. In different stage, forestry policies focused on utilization,utilization and cultivation,utilization and cultivation and protection, cultivation,protection and cultivation,utilization and protection. Finally, through summarizing the experiences and lessons of ancient Chinese forestry policies and forest management, this thesis explored the reference and enlightenment to current forestry development.