Forest-based economy thrives in Baiyun district

Mushrooms grown in the forests of Baiyun district are stored, ready to be sent to market. [Photo/gybyzw]

The Baiyun district of Guiyang -- capital city of Southwest China's Guizhou province -- is reportedly expanding the development of its forest-based economy, as an important measure to boost the region's rural revitalization.

A forest-sourced economy features under-forest plants and crop cultivation, forest tourism and forest wellness centers for health enthusiasts, among other ventures.

To date, Baiyun has planted 450 mu (30 hectares) of edible mushrooms, with varieties of shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, morels, red bamboo mushrooms and tea tree mushrooms.

Meanwhile, forests covering around 4,500 mu are being used to raise chickens and bees. Of this, 1,750 mu has been purposed for raising some 20,000 chickens, in operations mainly located in Bianshan village and Dianshan village in Shawen town, Xiaoshan village and Shilong village in Niuchang township.

A box of bamboo mushrooms is set to be sent to the market in Guiyang city. [Photo/gybyzw]

Bee farming in Baiyun now involves as many as 1,500 beehive boxes -- with Duimenshan village in Shawen town, as well as Asuo village, Xiaoshan village and Shilong village in Niuchang township as the main sites.

In addition, environmentally-friendly emerging industries, such as ecological tourism and forest wellness centers have enjoyed rising popularity in Baiyun.

The area in Baiyun given over to forest landscape utilization has now reached about 15,000 mu, with four national-level forest villages, one provincial-level forest village and 26 forest households having been declared.

A forest wellness center in Duimenshan village in Shawen town is currently under construction, which has a planned forest utilization area of 1,500 mu.