The Shanghai Agriculture and Forestry Bureau plans to spend 6 million yuan (US$722,892) this year on the projects to revamp Dongping National Forest Park in city's Chongming County and Sheshan National Forest Park in Songjiang District.

"This is the first time for us to rebuild the forests, including creating a better view, adding tree varieties and improving forest quality," said Xu Dongxin, deputy director of the bureau's forestry division.

The replanting project will eventually be expanded to the forest shelter along the city's coastline, officials said.

"Currently, the condition of forests in the two parks is not satisfactory."

In Dongping Forest, for instance, all of the trees are of the same species, metasequoia. That not only makes the forest boring to look at, according to Xu, but also it is easy for disease and insects to spread.

"Many trees in Dongping park have died of plant disease," Xu said. "In order to stop the disease from spreading, workers must burn all the ill trees."

The government plans to replant the forests with 40 species of trees, including camphor, robur and osmanthus trees, purchased from seedling nurseries in the city and nearby provinces.

By the end of this year, Dongping Park will host a bamboo garden, maple garden, plum tree garden and a small golf course.

The 12 hills of Sheshan Mountain will each be covered by a different forest.

For instance, Tianma peak will feature an "economic forest" featuring trees that can be turned into cash crops, such as apple or pear trees.

"When the project is completed, we believe the forests will attract more tourists," the deputy director said.

(eastday.com April 1, 2003)