BEIJING: At a tree-planting base in Beijing’s Huairou District, Peng Minglang, a resident, is pruning branches and maintaining trees.
He is one of many who applied online to conduct volunteering work revolving around trees.
“In recent years, the Internet has popularized tree-planting in Beijing, enabling people to come and plant trees, learn about plants, and donate money for tree planting,” said Li Tao with the Capital Greening Office.
The base in Huairou, covering 750 mu (50 hectares), was set up in October last year. It serves as a tool for the public to volunteer for tree-planting services both online and offline.
“The way of voluntary tree planting changes with time. People nowadays not only literally plant trees but maintain trees in various forms,” said Cui Shangwu, deputy head of the Huairou Gardening and Greening Bureau.
“Planting and trimming trees is our way of protecting the environment, and I also find great pleasure in it,” Peng said.
According to the bureau, the public has welcomed the base. More than 3,000 residents have participated in activities such as tree planting, maintenance, and trimming.
The enthusiasm of residents in planting trees and their awareness of protecting the ecological environment have been enhanced. “As a resident, I’m delighted to see Beijing getting greener, and more people are joining in tree planting,” Peng added.
According to the Capital Greening Office, over 100 million people in Beijing have joined in tree planting, and about 210 million trees have been planted in the past four decades. – Agencies
