China steps up fight against sandstorms

Source:

03-13-2006 17:32

Sunday was China's annual Tree-Planting Day, with people around the country braving strong wind and sands to plant trees. According to a recent government report, over 12 billion trees have been planted over the past five years to make the nation greener.

Liu Gang and his son volunteered to plant trees in the face of fierce wind and sand in the southern suburbs of Beijing. It is the third year running that they have volunteered to plant trees. Liu said it is a good way to instill the concept of environmental protection into his son's mind.

Volunteer Liu Gang said: "We each have to contribute to the goal of a green Olympics. Today's weather tells us clearly that planting trees to defend against sandstorms is an urgent task. Children must have that awareness."

According to the recent annual report on China's afforestation situation, Chinese people afforested 3.79 million hectares of land in 2005, and the country's forest coverage has reached 18.21 percent.

Vice director Wang Sumei of Capital Afforestation Office said: "Beijing's forest coverage has reached 50 percent, the objective we promised to the International Olympic Committee four years ago. But we are still striving to set up our multiple green belts and screens."

Despite the progress, cold winds and sandstorms still present a headache around China in Spring, blanketing many parts of the nation. The annual report warned that given the need of future economic development the forest resources in China are far from sufficient. The government is expected to take effective measures against illegal logging and encourage the planting of trees.

The winds and sandstorms of each spring remind many people how important it is to plant trees. But raising awareness can't rely on nature alone. More needs to be done to push the public to create a green environment.

Editor:Wang Ping