Routes of protection

If any anomaly is registered, such as illicit logging or a pest attack, He and his team will intervene immediately and report it to related departments in a bid to nip it in the bud.

"During dry and windy periods, we have to keep a special eye out for fire hazards," He says.

Since 1998, Tai'an authorities have started to step up reforestation and grassland restoration efforts. He joined the force right after graduation from a college in the province where he studied forestry.

He has joined all major ecological construction projects that were aimed to preserve the natural forest and increase forest coverage.

Locals first called He "the man wearing glasses", as he initially went door to door promoting forest protection ideas among the more than 30 villages in the township.

"Our forest zone is very big, with long roads running through it," He says.

"The farmlands and forest are distributed in an interlaced way, so the supervision of farming affairs makes fire control in the forest tough," he adds.

Therefore, He has made a point of hammering home the importance of fire safety to local villagers, who have become familiar with He's regular visits and affectionately call him "Brother Wu".

"We have also established a WeChat group to engage villagers and put up fire-prevention banners to ensure everyone is aware and involved in the cause," He says.

Related rules and punishment measures have also been laid out.

At the same time, Tai'an authorities have arranged specific times for villagers to burn straw or crop residues, with He and others standing by to give guidance and maintain a watchful eye throughout the process.

"By addressing their problems, it has helped endear forest protection work to local residents," He says.