May 2026, the Second Central Eco-environmental Protection Supervision Group inspected Jilin Province and found that problems such as illegal sand quarrying, inadequate supervision of nature reserves and inadequate reforestation were prominent in some parts of Yanbian Prefecture.
1. Basic information
Yanbian Prefecture has a large forest area, high forest coverage, abundant wildlife species and complete ecosystem functions, which play an important role in maintaining regional ecological security, but there are obvious gaps in ecological protection work in some places.
Second, the main problem
is that the problem of illegal sand and stone mining is prominent. The relevant laws and regulations of the state stipulate that it is forbidden to engage in mining and other development activities that do not meet the requirements of control in national forest parks without authorization. Inspectors found that in November 2021, the government of Wangqing County illegally auctioned the right to exploit sand and gravel in the reservoir area of Jilin Mantianxing National Forest Park. From December 2021 to July 2022, the company illegally exploited about 6 million cubic meters of sand and gravel, forming 14 yards that have survived to this day, occupying 221 mu of forest land, 88 mu of grassland and 253 mu of wetland in Mantianxing National Forest Park. Further investigation found that in order to avoid violations, the water conservancy department of Wangqing County organized the preparation of the feasibility study report of the comprehensive treatment project on the grounds of sediment deposition in the reservoir area, which was approved by the development and reform department of Wangqing County in February 2022, but the actual dredging work was not carried out.
Fig. 1 On March 14, 2026, the inspection team found that the sand and gravel yard in Mantianxing National Forest Park, Wangqing County, Yanbian Prefecture, Jilin Province, illegally encroached on forests and grasslands
. Development and productive construction activities are prohibited within the red line of ecological protection. Inspectors found that from September 2022 to March 2026, Hunchun Zhuohong Concrete Company illegally excavated and processed building sand and gravel within the ecological protection red line in Mijiang Township, Hunchun City, and occupied 104 mu of forest land. Hunchun City was aware of the above situation in October 2024, but it has not been investigated and dealt with. When the inspection team conducted a secret investigation in March 2026, the enterprise was still in production.
Fig. 2 On March 12, 2026, the inspection team found that Hunchun Zhuohong Concrete Company illegally excavated and processed building sand and gravel
within the red line of ecological protection in Hunchun City, Yanbian Prefecture, Jilin Province. Second, the nature reserve was poorly supervised. The relevant laws and regulations of the state stipulate that no visit or tourism projects inconsistent with the protection objectives shall be set up in the nature reserve area. Inspectors found that in August 2024, the Volcanic Grand Canyon Tourism and Culture Development Company violated the regulations to build an ice and snow paradise project in Jilin yuanchi Wetland National Nature Reserve, occupying 21 mu of the core protected area and 46.6 mu of the general control area, including 24.4 mu of woodland and 17.7 mu of permanent basic farmland. In addition, the project also illegally took more than 17,000 cubic meters of water from the Toudaobai River in the reserve to make snow.
Fig. 3 On March 24, 2026, the inspection team found that the ice and snow paradise project was illegally constructed in Jilin yuanchi Wetland National Nature Reserve, which occupied the core protected area
from August 2024 to November 2025. Jilin yuanchi Wetland National Nature Reserve Administration has issued four notices ordering the suspension of illegal activities, but the Ice and Snow Paradise Project has not stopped construction and will continue to operate until the end of December 2025. Further investigation found that in November 2024, the Antu County Government, knowing that the project was located in a nature reserve, sent a letter to the relevant parties requesting help in coordinating the project.
Third, reforestation is not strict. The Forest Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that organizations and individuals that cut trees shall complete reforestation and meet the standards stipulated in relevant technical regulations; the competent forestry authorities of the people's governments at or above the county level shall supervise and inspect the renewal of forest resources. Inspectors found that the quality of reforestation in some areas of artificial commercial forest harvesting areas in Yanbian Prefecture was not high, and the supervision and inspection of forestry departments were not in place. A 25.5 mu cutting area in Dongcheng Town of Helong City was replanted with Korean pine in 2024. According to the requirements of the Technical Regulations for Afforestation, 1667 to 2500 trees should be planted per hectare, but only 230 trees were actually planted per hectare, which is only 13.8% of the minimum standard. A 45.4 mu cutting area in Chaoyangchuan Town
of Yanji City was renewed and planted with spruce in 2022. The actual afforestation preservation rate was less than 45%, which was far below the requirement of "Technical Regulations for Afforestation" that the preservation rate should not be less than 80%. In 2025, the forestry station in Chaoyangchuan Town passed the acceptance in violation of regulations. Another 29.4 mu cutting area was renewed and planted with Korean pine in 2023, and there are only 10 surviving saplings at present.
Fig. 4 On March 21, 2026, the inspection team found that the number of Korean pine planted in a logging area in Helong City, Yanbian Prefecture, Jilin Province did not meet the requirements
of the norms. 3. Cause analysis
Yanbian Prefecture did not fully understand the importance of ecological protection, and the supervision of ecologically sensitive areas became a mere formality. The implementation of reforestation responsibility is not in place, and the problem of ecological destruction has been prohibited repeatedly.
The inspection team will further investigate and verify the relevant situation, and do a good job of follow-up supervision as required.
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