(Photo: VnExpress)

Professor Doctor Vuong Van Quynh, former Director of the Institute for Foreign Ecology and Environment, says the Prime Minister’s plan to plant 1 billion trees in five years is feasible.

He said up to 700,000 hectares are still available for afforestation and 1 billion trees might cover up to 500,000 hectares.

To realize the target, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has designed a program that focuses on planting more trees, reviving trees that are ecologically functional, and restoring damaged ecological systems and ensuring that they are sustainable. The Ministry says planting 1 billion trees is not just for economic gains but also for social and environmental gains. It has evaluated the status of ecological systems and current legislation to identify specific tasks.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said, 'We need to look at different aspects to realize this target. Our aim should not be just to plant 1 billion trees, but to develop ecological systems that have economic and natural values and benefit future generations. We are studying the soil and other ecological and biodiversity values.'

Localities have implemented programs to conserve and expand forest coverage to green bare land in both rural and urban areas of Vietnam.