Abstract:

Data were collected from 10 small town、29 villages、more than 200 farmers and 160 non\|farmers in Huize County and Qingzhen City. Taken Huize County and Qingzhen City as examples,the effects of the conversion of cropland to forestland on peasants' life were analyzed. Results showed: Firstly,replaced farmers were compensated within 5 to 8 years, their income would be increased obviously and their initiative in conversion of cropland to forestland would be aroused. However, influenced by economic interests, most of them paid more attention to the rights of compensation policy, ignored duties of forest management. Secondly,after replaced land, most of them were not interested in increasing the level of intensive farming for the surplus cultivated land, and heavily dependened on subsidy of the state.Once cash and grain subsidy were stopped, the income from their forest land was not available, they would remain poverty. Therefore, to establish and consummate the economic compensation system of the conversion of cropland to forestland would play very important role for both the peasants and relative sectors, promoting the participation of ecological construction and strengthening the achievement of the conversing cropland to forestland. The mechanism of economic compensation and implementation for the conversion of cropland to forestland in the Western China were discussed and the countermeasures for establishing and consummating the mechanism were also summarized.

Key words: The Western China, Conversion of cropland to forestland, Economic compensation system, Huize County, Qingzhen City, Peasants