Govt leaders share in planting of 3.4 million saplings across Laos

Government leaders and members of various organisations across the country turned out in force to plant nearly 3.4 million saplings on 3,480 hectares of land to mark National Arbor Day on June 1.

President Thongloun Sisoulith plants trees at Pesidential Office.

President Thongloun Sisoulith, who is also Party Secretary General, planted trees at the Presidential Office, while Prime Minister Dr Sonexay Siphandone planted saplings in Samakhixay district, Attapeu province, and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr Phet Phomphiphak planted trees in Dongmarkkhai village, Xaythany district, Vientiane.
The government plans to sow at least 20,000kg of seeds and over 34 million saplings on 42,000 hectares of land across the country this year.
This ambitious goal is part of efforts to increase forest cover to 70 percent of the country’s total land area.
Reforestation is seen as important for socio-economic development, environmental protection and biodiversity, as well as being a source of livelihoods.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday to mark National Arbor Day, Dr Phet Phomphiphak said trees would be planted on about 8,535 hectares in protected forest areas.
In addition, trees will be planted on 535 hectares around infrastructure projects, industrial trees will be planted on 29,565 hectares of land, and other trees will be planted on 3,900 hectares of land owned by individuals, organisations and businesses.
Tree planting is increasingly important to ensure that 70 percent of the nation’s land is forested, covering an area of 16.5 million hectares by 2030.
This includes 4.7 million hectares of conservation forests, 8.2 million hectares of protected forests, 3.1 million hectares of production forests, and 500,000 hectares of rehabilitated forest areas.
Reforestation will help mitigate the effects of climate change, support environmental conservation, and protect biodiversity.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update June 2, 2023)