A senior Chinese legislator has called on farmers to have alternative ways to make money in the "returning reclaimed land to forest" program, which aims to improve ecological quality.

Xu Jialu, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, made the remarks during his inspection tour of Yan'an, in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, which ended on Thursday.

Xu visited a local orchard and inspected site of programs to return reclaimed land to forest and teach farmers modern farming methods.

He said the government firmly adheres to the policy of returning reclaimed land to forest to safeguard the ecological environment, which is the common theme facing all of humanity in the 21st century. However, the achievements of the program have to be fortified through finding alternative ways for farmers to get rich.

He suggested promoting the use of marsh gas, deep processing of fruits and mountain products, and imparting scientific and technological knowledge to the farmers to help them get rid of poverty.

"Only by doing so can the achievements of the 'returning reclaimed land to forest' program be consolidated," said Xu.

A large-scale reclamation campaign in the latter half of the past century is now causing severe soil and land erosion in China's western regions, contributing to sandstorms, floods and other ecological disasters confronting much of China today.

Xu urged further improvement of ecological protection and safeguarding ecological safety, saying this is the basis for sustainable development.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2005)