Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Today is the International Forest Day.

Forest is a precious resource for human life and socio-economic development.

In the DPRK, where mountains make up the bulk of its territory, afforestation and forest conservation have been actively promoted as an important state policy.

Every year, trees of good species suited to the regional climatic and soil conditions are planted and cultivated on a mass scale to renew the appearance of land.

In the last decade, more than one million hectares of forests have been created through a forest restoration campaign. Last year alone, at least 2 billion saplings of 100-odd species were produced across the country through the persevering work to put the sapling production on a scientific, industrial and intensive basis.

Modern tree nurseries were built in provinces, cities and counties and forest science research bases built in different parts of country to contribute to turning the mountains into golden and treasure mountains.

This year, too, practical measures have been taken to improve the forest ecological environment of the country by stepping up the forest restoration with the main stress on the work to plant many trees of high economic value.

Many trees of good species including wild fruit trees are being planted across the country with spring season as an occasion. Tree nurseries have produced hundreds of millions of saplings needed for spring tree planting to ensure the smooth tree-planting.

Meanwhile, steps are taken to conserve forests, precious asset of the country, by establishing a well-regulated system for monitoring and notifying forest-fire and for extinguishment mobilization and producing various biological agrochemicals to stamp out forest insects in the right time.

Preparations are also being made to map out the national forest restoration plan with the main emphasis on improving the forest ecological environment and laying the foundation for regional rejuvenation. -0-