**History of Deforestation and Flood Damage in the Yangtze River Basin - China, 1950s to 2020s**.

**History of Deforestation and Flood Damage in the Yangtze River Basin - China, 1950s to 2020s**.

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**Summary**
Deforestation in the Yangtze River Basin began in the 1950s, and by the 1980s the forest area had decreased from 22% to 10%. In the 1990s, the "return of forests to cultivation" policy was introduced, and reforestation and soil erosion countermeasures were implemented through international cooperation. 2010 saw the launch of the "Yangtze River Economic Belt" plan, which promotes both economic development and environmental conservation. Pollution control measures were strengthened through stricter regulations and AI-based water quality monitoring, and forest coverage is on a recovery trend. However, flood damage will continue even in the 2020s, with five major floods occurring in 2020. While the Three Gorges Dam contributes to flood mitigation, there are concerns about safety and environmental impacts. Afforestation and cooperation are essential for sustainable restoration.