Hanoi (VNA) – “Planting and protecting trees will be a gift for our future generations, particularly when the humanity is racing against the clock to handle global crises such as climate change, degradation of biodiversity, environmental pollution, and disease”, said Minister of Natural Resource and Environment (MoNRE) Tran Hong Ha.

At the event held in the Truong Bon historical relic site, Nghe An province, on March 14 in response to the Government’s programme to plant one billion trees, Ha stressed that tree planting is of utmost importance in Vietnam since the country has suffered relentless extreme weather events in the past time.

“Planting trees for a green Vietnam” is also a way that helps correct the terrible mistakes humans have made to the nature, Ha added, calling this a practical activity to concretise the mission stated in the 13^th National Party Congress’ resolution that highlighted strict management of forest, efficient use of land and natural resources, and implementation of measures in response to climate change.

According to Ha, his ministry submitted the Prime Minister a project to recover and develop a green tree system in response to the emergency state of climate change, and environmental pollution. It stated out the leading responsibilities of the MoNRE, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as competent organisations and individuals to mobilise resources for this meaningful activity.

A digital tree map has been developed by the MoNRE to improve the efficiency of tree management and care throughout the country.

The map’s database, including information about tree species, planting process and characteristics of trees during the growing process, was expected to improve the efficiency of managing and taking care of trees nationwide, said Ha.

ꦉ Ha said the database would be put on the App store as an application soon after it is completed.

The application would help State-management agencies assess the current distribution of green trees, monitor the trees’ growing process and connect tree providers and growers, he added.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Secretary of Hanoi Municipal Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs Phan Dinh Trac plant trees at Truong Bon historical relic site. (Photo: VNA)

On the occasion, Prime Minister Phuc and Minister Ha presented 10,000 trees to locals in Do Luong district.

Ha called on associations and businesses to join the Government’s efforts to plant trees at production facilities and industrial parks so as to improve the environment.

He also asked competent agencies to study and complete institutions to encourage the whole society to plant and protect trees.

ꦬ For a green Vietnam, the Prime Minister initiated a programme to plant one billion trees in five years in a bid to restore forest ecosystem across the nation. Of the total, nearly 700 million trees will be planted in urban and rural areas and more than 300 million trees will be planted in the forest. In 2021, the country will plant about 182 million trees.