PHNOM PENH, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth on Thursday urged people from all walks of life to join the ongoing campaign to plant at least 1 million trees per year, aiming to expand the country's forest cover and combat climate change.
To support the campaign, the ministry has prepared 5 million tree saplings for free distribution to the public this year, Sophalleth said, adding that citizens, educational institutions, local authorities, communities and organizations are encouraged to obtain saplings and participate actively in tree-planting activities throughout the country.
The minister said five regional tree nurseries have been established to produce millions of quality saplings annually for distribution to the public.
"Increasing forest cover is a key component of Cambodia's climate strategy and supports the country's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050," Sophalleth said in a news release.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Cambodia has 73 protected areas covering more than 41 percent of the Southeast Asian country's land area. ■
