ULAN BATOR, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia on Saturday stepped up efforts to plant more trees across the country to combat desertification and protect the environment, its Ministry of Environment and Tourism said.
The measure was introduced to mark the country's National Tree Planting Day, its largest tree-planting and nature care event, which falls on the second Saturday of May and October every year.
This year's National Tree Planting Day will last two weeks to promote the national tree-planting campaign dubbed "Billion Trees" launched in 2021, said the ministry in a statement.
It said that households, businesses and public and private organizations across the country are expected to plant more trees in their yards and surroundings and take care of the previously planted trees.
"Planting trees is one of the most important gifts we can give to our planet and ourselves," said Bat-Ulzii Bat-Erdene, minister of environment and tourism, while planting trees at a park in the capital, urging the public to contribute to creating a healthier environment and combating desertification by planting more trees.
The Asian country has a total land area of 1,564,116 square km, but only 8 percent is covered by forests.
According to the ministry, strong winds and heavy dust storms are frequent occurrences in Mongolia, with roughly 77 percent of the country's territory affected by desertification and land degradation. ■
