HCMC – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc proposed planting one billion trees in the next five years at a question and answer session during the 14th National Assembly’s 10th sitting this morning, November 10.
Speaking at the session, PM Phuc said that natural disasters, climate change and unfavorable weather have continuously and greatly affected residents, the local media reported.
Apart from property losses, floods and landslides have also claimed many lives, the Government leader said.
Citing the landslide in Phuoc Loc Commune of Phuoc Son District in the central province of Quang Nam as an example, the prime minister said the incident killed six children aged between four and nine.
Whatever the causes of the floods, rains and landslides, it is necessary to protect forests, mainly natural ones, he stated.
At the beginning of the tenure, the prime minister issued an order to stop exploiting natural forests. Even though the country’s forest coverage has risen to over 42%, the rate is lower than that of many other countries. As such, the country must continue to grow forests and plant trees in major cities, said the prime minister.
