Daqing Mountain in Hohhot, the capital city of North China's Inner Mongolia, is covered by lush forests. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Daily]

North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region launched a total of 19 volunteer tree-planting activities on March 12, which marks Chinese Arbor Day.

The types of volunteer tree planting in the region have gradually expanded from just afforestation and greening to include tree cultivation, management, protection, recognition of species, adoption, and donation of funds and materials, which means individuals can help out in whichever way that is most suitable for them.

For every cubic meter of tree growth, an average of about 1.83 metric tons of carbon dioxide can be absorbed, while 1.62 tons of oxygen will be released.

According to statistics, since the State Council promulgated the "Implementation Measures on Carrying out the National Voluntary Tree Planting Movement" in 1981, the number of seedlings planted in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region reached 2.04 billion, and a total of 3,898 volunteer tree planting bases were established there.

Due to such efforts, the forest coverage rate in the region has now reached 23 percent.

Taking advantage of the region's 400 million mu (26.67 million hectares) of forests, Inner Mongolia is steadily promoting the development of forestry carbon sinks and promoting the realization of carbon sink trading.

Meanwhile, Inner Mongolia is focusing on cultivating and developing four advantageous industries - fruit, woody grain, oil, and Chinese medicine.