Crucial steps taken by the Chinese government to protect its grasslands

China now has nearly 400 million hectares of natural grassland, the second biggest in the world. But 90 % of its usable grassland has degraded to various extents and hence the Chinese vice Premier Hui Liangyu Friday called for greater efforts to protect the country's grasslands.

He said that grassland is important for the nation's environmental safety and sustainable economic growth.

This is mainly done as a part of the national efforts towards an environment-friendly society.

As a result of all this building of pastures and maintaining grasslands symbolize the building of a "new socialist countryside.

Hui acknowledged that protection of grasslands would play a vital role in conservation of biological diversity.

It would help in the transformation of China from an agriculture country in to a country that supports modern agriculture and the prosperity of rural farmers.

He also said that various legislation and law enforcement has to be introduced which would facilitate the use of new technologies and allow farmers an active role.

He also mentioned about the role the local governments must play in order to alter the policies to support grassland development.