To reverse the severe environmental degradation and land deterioration, Jiangxi Province launched its massive “Mountain-River-Lake (MRL) Program” in 1982, including afforesting the bare mountains and harnessing small valleys to control soil erosion and revegetation. Under the leadership and the financial support of the provincial government, the Central Government and international funding agencies in the last more than 20 years, the MRL Program has achieved remarkable success in promoting the integration of environmental protection, vegetation recovery, soil conservation, economic development, and poverty reduction. The effects were obvious and great rejuvenation of the local ecosystem was impressive after painstaking efforts. The forest coverage increased from 36% in 1983 to 60.05% at present. Annual area of forestation increased greatly by more than 10 times, and the forest land area increased 3.713×106 hm2 compared with 1949. The number of forest parks at the state or provincial level has increased to 50. The area of severe soil erosion has decreased obviously, and the area of Poyang Lake has been enlarged from 3500 km2 to 5100 km2. The water quality of Poyang Lake has reached the state standard of drinking water grade II. In this paper, the ecological effects of the MRL Forestry Program were evaluated, and the primary ecological problems were analyzed, based on the interview survey of 508 households in 181 villages of 4 counties and related auxiliary data in the central south district of Jiangxi Province, including Jinggangshan, Taihe, Xingguo and Ningdu. The MRL ecological restoration projects in the study area were implemented in various and comprehensive methods those were composed of integrated development of red soil hilly region, development of small watersheds and eco-forestry in mountain areas, agro-forestry and comprehensive eco-economic development in paddy fields, fodder grass planting in agriculture region, comprehensive development and management of sandy wasteland. The results showed that the primary ecological problems in the past were excessive deforestation and felling, soil loss and degeneration, vegetation degradation, biodiversity decline, water quality deterioration and shortage, etc. The farmers were the principle part of program by directly participates in construction and management of MRL Program. Most of them were involved in program passively and gradually considered the proportionality between participation ways and benefit obtaining. And through the choice of planting tree species, densities, patterns, and management ways, the subject position for farmers were reflected. The farmer measured the ecological effects of program by varies experience indexes, and the obvious positive effects presented as vegetation restoration, soil conservation, wildlife protection, and water rehabilitation, etc. Conversely, for farmers has no conscious to the ecological effects of program, it was primarily due to lack of ecological awareness, cutting without planting in some area, or reverse psychology owing to no gains from forestation. The success of the MRL Program showed us that governmental commitment is essential for undertaking such a wide-ranging program covering such a large area. It is sound integrated management of water resources, land and forest, while applying ecological methods for regional sustainable development. The study would contribute to the rolling conduction of subsequent projects of MRL Program, environment protection and ecological restoration for other regions.