Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform on Saturday launched from Al-Assad National Library a national afforestation campaign to start on November 15th and last till the end of next March ,including planting all kinds of forestry and fruitful trees ,of which carob and stone pine (pinus pinea).
In a statement to journalists, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Hassan Qatana said that the Ministry this year went out of the traditional method of Day of the Tree which is fixed on one day ,on the last Thursday of every year, moving to implementing several campaigns according to four axes which include household forestation campaign executed by family head and members and their relatives ,afforestation campaign in the lands related to schools, universities, campaign related to unions ,organizations, agencies and institutions ,in addition to other campaign related to volunteers who wish to plant specific areas of the forests ,all these with the aim of putting basic criteria and correct procedures of caring the seedlings and ensuring their sustainability and continuity.
Qatana revealed that the central Day of Tree will be executed this year from Hama governorate in Misyaf area ,referring that there will not be planting trees in the burned areas this year as they need rehabilitation process as a first step.
For his part ,Higher Education and Scientific Research Bassam Ibrahim said that there will be focus on the areas surrounding universities, dormitories and institutions after cultivable areas have been set in these areas.
Ibrahim added that the Fine Art students have been accomplished to draw and design paintings that express the importance and the beauty of trees and forests, clarifying that the Ministry is working now in cooperation with the Agriculture Ministry to raise awareness among students regarding the importance of planting trees and caring forests and preserving them.
Baraa Ali / Mazen Eyon
