President launches New Year tree planting festivalPresident Tran Dai Quang launched the New Year tree planting festival in Bach Thong district, the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan on February 21 (the sixth day of the Lunar New Year). President Tran Dai Quang in Bac KanOn November 28, 1959, President Ho Chi Minh wrote an article which was published on Nhan dan (People) newspaper, stressing the significance of tree planting to each person, each family and the entire nation. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 235,000ha of concentrated forests and over 60 million scattered trees were planted nationwide last year. Speaking at the event, President Quang underlined the strategic significance of tree planting and forestation amidst global warming and climate change. He called on ministries, agencies, localities and people nationwide to raise public awareness of forest protection and prevent illegal logging.-VNA