A Study on the History of Afforestation in Heilongjiang Province during the Late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China

There is a limited number of studies on the history of afforestation in Northeast China, as well as local presentations on the topic. With the help of literature collection and analysis,this paper aims to sort out the historical facts of local afforestation practices by examining how afforestation was carried out in Heilongjiang Province during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. The study begins with an exploration of the local afforestation attempts at the end of the Qing Dynasty, followed by an examination of the public and private afforestation efforts during the management period of the Republic of China Government, and finally, an analysis of the scientific afforestation based on “forest finance” during the management period of the “Puppet Manchuria Government”. Heilongjiang Province's afforestation process is relatively unique. By focusing on forestry policy, woodland property rights, and forest property rights, this analysis reveals different characteristics and effects of afforestation activities in different periods. These findings provide valuable experiences and lessons for afforestation practices in Northeast China after its liberation.