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**History of Deforestation and Flood Damage in the Yangtze River Basin - China, 1950s to 2020s** --- **Summary** Deforestation progressed in the Yangtze River Basin from the 1950s, reducing forest coverage from 22% to 10% by the 1980s. This resulted in increased soil erosion and riverbed elevation, leading to frequent flooding. In the 1990s, the "Grain-for-Green" policy was introduced, implementing afforestation and soil erosion control measures through international cooperation. The 2010s saw the launch of the "Yangtze River Economic Belt" initiative, promoting the dual goals of economic development and environmental conservation. Strengthened regulations and AI-powered water quality monitoring enhanced pollution control, and forest coverage is now showing signs of recovery. However, flood damage persisted into the 2020s, with five major floods occurring in 2020 alone. While the Three Gorges Dam contributes to flood mitigation, concerns remain regarding its safety and enviro
nmental impact. Sustainable restoration requires both reforestation and continued cooperation.