Internet spreads growth of urban greening

At a tree-planting base in Beijing's Huairou district Peng Minglang was busy pruning branches.

He is one of many who applied online for volunteer work growing and maintaining trees at the base.

"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 from the Capital Greening Office.

The Huairou base, which covers 50 hectares, was set up in October. It serves as a tool for the public to volunteer for tree-planting services both online and offline.

Cui Shangwu, deputy head of the Huairou Gardening and Greening Bureau, said voluntary tree planting had changed with time. "People nowadays not only plant trees but maintain them in various forms," he said.

Peng said, "Planting and trimming trees is our way of protecting the environment, and I also find great pleasure in it."

More than 3,000 residents have participated in activities such as tree planting, maintenance and branch trimming at the base, according to the bureau.

"As a resident, I'm delighted to see Beijing getting greener, and more people are joining in tree planting," Peng added.

About 210 million trees have been planted in Beijing over the past four decades with the help of local residents, the Capital Greening Office said.

"From 1980 to 2020, the forest coverage in Beijing rose from 12.83 percent to 44.4 percent," Li said.

"Over the past 40 years, the greening has reached many urban and rural public areas, workplaces and communities. With all this, people living at a rapid pace can be comforted by surrounding greenery."

Li said planting trees in person or getting involved via the internet means taking part in the development of a greener world and advancing ecological civilization.

There are 25 tree-planting bases in Beijing, the most of any city in the country. Tree-related activities are available all year round, according to the Capital Greening Office.

China launched the voluntary tree-planting campaign in 1981.

Liu Dongsheng, deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, said through decades of afforestation, China's forest coverage has risen from 12 percent in the early 1980s to 23.04 percent today.

Wang Zhongshen, a 71-year-old resident of Beijing's Xicheng district said: "As a senior citizen, I'm particularly interested in singing and walking in parks nearby while appreciating natural views. There is more and more greenery in Beijing, and the environment is constantly improving. I feel very comfortable living in this city."

Xinhua