President launches Tree Planting Festival in Quang Ninh

President Tran Dai Quang on February 2 launched the Tree Planting Festival 2017 in memory of the late President Ho Chi Minh.

President Tran Dai Quang speaks at the event (Photo: VNA).

The launching ceremony was held in Cam Son Commune, Cam Pha District in the northern province of Quang Ninh.

He confirmed that the festival, which has become a tradition, has contributed greatly to the cause of protecting and developing forests, thereby preserving a sound environment for national socio-economic development.

Last year, Vietnam planted nearly 222,000 hectares of forest and involved people in the management of about 6.2 million hectares of forest, according to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The number of violations of the Law on Forest Protection and Development was reduced by 9% compared to the previous year, while exports of forestry products hit over US$7.3 billion in 2016.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Tran Dai Quang hailed the Tree Planting Festival as a fine tradition in Vietnam on the first days of the Lunar New Year, contributing to environmental protection and socio-economic development.

The president called on local authorities and residents to join hands in the tree planting campaign and to increase their awareness of the importance of forest protection and deforestation prevention.

(Source: NDO)