Premier Yu Shyi-kun planted a sapling at a community park in Panchiao, Taipei County, yesterday to mark the launch of a month-long afforestation campaign aimed at beautifying Taiwan's landscape and conserving the natural ecology.
Noting that President Chen Shui-bian (
"We are scheduled to plant a total of 5 million seedlings and saplings on 2,500 hectares of land around the island throughout the year," Yu said, adding that they will be planted in 418 selected communities and other public places.
Yu led central- and county-government officials, as well as community representatives, in an activity that involved planting saplings of endemic species at the Chungshan Community Park in Panchiao.
Participants hung a "lantern of hope" on each plant to symbolize local residents' new year wishes.
Yu and 21 community repre-sentatives also jointly signed a declaration on afforestation.
Yu said the Cabinet has designated Feb. 4 to March 12 as the year's "Arbor Month," during which 1.29 million plants and seedlings will be planted on 534 hectares of community parks and school campuses around the island.
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