Environment Minister Sergiu Lazarencu says that Moldova has an alarmingly low rate of afforestation: only 11%, compared with the European average of over 35%. The fact that Moldova is today at the bottom of the European rankings in terms of forested areas shows that the forestry sector has been neglected for years, the minister noted on Thursday during parliamentary hearings, IPN reports.

"The national program for the expansion and rehabilitation of forests is a strategic project initiated by President Maia Sandu, with the main goal of increasing the forested area in our country," the minister told the plenum.

According to Sergiu Lazarencu, 145 thousand hectares will be afforested under the program in the next 10 years.

"This will help us to better protect soils, to have more rainfall, but also to be resilient to climate change. And last but not least to have healthier citizens," the minister added.

According to him, the most forested districts in the country are Straseni, Calarasi, Hancesti, Nisporeni and Ungheni. They have an afforestation rate of between 20% and 35%. Drochia, Floresti, Taraclia, Sangerei, Basarabeasca, Basarabeasca, Riscani, Stefan Voda and UTA Gagauzia are at the opposite pole, with a rate of less than 7%.