Large areas of economically important forests were frozen to death, straining supplies for forestry products such as wood, bamboo, pine oleoresin and oleum camelliae--especially the already tight wood supplies.

"The suspension of production of some forestry enterprises will obviously affect the employment of millions and constrain supplies of forestry products over the next few years," noted Zhu.

Xiao said that 370 million cubic meters of forest reserves, or 3 percent of the national total, had been damaged and that nearly 3 billion bamboo trees, or 47 percent of the national total, were destroyed.

It may take three to 12 months for some crops to recuperate, but for forests, which have long growth cycles, as much as three to five years could be needed. Damages to forestry resources and prospected decline in incomes from agriculture and forestry will reduce the fiscal revenue of affected townships and counties, further hampering their overall development.

Secondary disaster fears

Zhu cited the prevention of secondary disasters as a focus of the current rescue campaign, because the blizzard has left behind many hidden dangers.

Invisible troubles could first come from snow-melting agents made from corrosive industrial salt. These agents were heavily used on highways and expressways as part of the effort to clear away the snow and ensure flows of traffic and power supplies. If inappropriately disposed of, the industrial salts will be washed away with the melted snow, possibly triggering the salinization of the soil and the contamination of underground water resources. Worse still, the salts may kill trees along the roadsides and put people's health in danger.

On February 20, the State Forestry Administration appealed for timely disposal of the snow-melting agents with a view to guarding against secondary disasters and possible impact to the environment.

During the disaster relief work, snow was piled up under trees or along roads. Recently, the State Forestry Administration has ordered the removal of snow piles that have yet to melt. Trees exposed to pollutants in the melting snow should be heavily watered to dilute the salt content of the soil around their roots, so that the trees can healthily grow.

Another secondary disaster fear is the possibility of fires. Zhu said that since the blizzards brought down many trees and dispersed litters everywhere, the way had been paved for forest fires.

Experience has taught us that snowstorms are usually followed by droughts. The risk of forest fires may escalate due to dry weather, the accumulation of combustible materials and frequent activities of people in forest areas.

By February 19, Jiangxi Province had already recorded 17 forest fire outbreaks since the break of the snowstorm.

Replanting efforts

March 12, China's Arbor Day, heralds the inception of the spring reforestation campaign. This could be a major remedy for the forestry recovery efforts in southern China.

On February 1, the State Forestry Administration distributed its afforestation program for 2008 to forestry departments across the country, with the goal of reforesting 5.2 million hectares of land and planting 2.04 billion trees by individuals.

"Our forestry infrastructure has been torpedoed, adding difficulties to the complementary planting and rehabilitation work," added Zhu.

On February 25, the State Forestry Administration pressed for more active measures to cushion the blow dealt by the snowstorms and accelerate the pace of forest recovery.

At present, efforts have been made to restore plant nurseries injured by the weather and resume the production of nursery stock.

While committed to spring reforestation, disaster-hit areas have already geared themselves up for more planting in the summer and fall.

"The snowstorm is not devoid of merit," said Cao Qingyao, a spokesman for the State Forestry Administration. "At least it inspires those disaster-hit areas to explore scientific and rational construction models and management methods of forestry. Innovative frameworks and programs for the reforestation work are also compelled to address past problems.

"More favorable policies will be implemented to mobilize the forestry farmers to plant, cultivate and protect the forests, and this is expected to breathe life into the reforestation campaign," said Cao.

"Despite much difficulty, we remain faithful to meeting the target of a forest coverage rate of 20 percent by 2010," added Zhu. "Production and investment programs will be adjusted in tune with the post-disaster situation."