BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Taining County in southeast China's Fujian Province has transformed its power transmission corridors into fire-resistant economic zone by replacing tall, flammable vegetation with low shrubs of tea-oil camellias.
Photo shows the tea-oil camellias economic zone beneath the transmission lines in Xiaqu Town, Taining County in southeast China's Fujian Province. (Chen Xuanmiao)
Located in northwest Fujian's subtropical monsoon climate zone, Taining's rapid vegetation growth has long made power infrastructure maintenance complicated. "Previously, we mobilized enormous resources every spring to trim the high vegetation beneath power lines to avoid wildfire and power disruptions," said Zheng Hua, head of the transmission operation team at State Grid Taining Power Supply Company.
The newly-adopted tea-oil camellias, featuring thick bark and moisture-rich foliage, is not only for fire-proof, but also with high economic value. Dubbed the "oriental olive oil", the tea-oil subtracted from its seeds contains over 85 percent unsaturated fatty acids and has been sought after on the market.
Photo shows volunteers planting tea-oil camellias in Taining County in southeast China's Fujian Province. (Jiang Lixia)
Since 2024, the vegetation replacement has progressed through coordinated efforts by the government, the power company and volunteers. The government has provided subsidies and launched promotion campaign, while the power company has signed collective contracting agreement with the villages. The volunteers have taken the responsibility of vegetation replacement.
With the coordinated efforts, the county has seen 210 mu (about 14 hectares) of biological firewalls, which are expected to generate a revenue of 1,300 yuan (about 178.96 U.S. dollars) per mu for villagers.
(Edited by Li Shimeng with Xinhua Silk Road, lishimeng@xinhua.org)
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