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Director of UNEP Regional Office for Europe: Azerbaijan is one of the leading countries for the number of the trees per person

03 June 2010 10:56 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Ilhama Isabalayeva â€“ APA. Director of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Regional Office for Europe Christophe Bouvier is paying a one-day visit to Azerbaijan, APA reports. Christophe Bouvier has participated in the mass tree planting campaign held by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources on the 10th km of the highway Zig-Heydar Aliyev airport.

After planting a tree Christophe Bouvier said the hospitality of Azerbaijan had made great impression on him. The official of the organization said Genova of Italy, Geneva of Switzerland and Baku of Azerbaijan had been declared city hubs to mark 2010 World Environment Day in Europe. Baku has fallen under this list as Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared 2010 â€œYear of Ecologyâ€.

According to Christophe Bouvier, 12 million hectare area is destroyed in the forest strip every year. In this respect, the step taken by the Azerbaijani government is an important action.
â€œTo date Azerbaijan has planted about 10 million trees. It contributes to planting 7 billion trees in the world in future. Azerbaijan is a leading country for the number of the trees per person. It is also very important for the restoration of the biodiversity, establishment of peace,â€ he said.

Minister of Ecology and Natural resources Huseyn Bagirov said about 8 million trees had been planted within the framework of the â€œEcology Yearâ€.