In this regard, Kim Hyon, department director of the Ministry of Urban Management, told KCNA:

"Turf planting is as important as the tree-planting drive to turn the country into a thick woodland and greenery.

Scientists and employees of the ministry are concentrating efforts on the cultivation of new species of evergreen turf after building its production base at the Central Tree Nursery.

Meanwhile a detailed work has been planned to plant and cultivate ground covers throughout the country.

Relevant officials of the ministry were sent to different parts of the country to help residents green their areas.

They have directed efforts to covering vacant lots in residential quarters, parks and pleasure grounds with turf, Liriope platyphylla, plantain lily and other ground covers.

In the capital city of Pyongyang, turf of new species is cultivated on a large scale.

Officials of Pothonggang District created a turf-producing base of 9 500 square meters at its horticultural station while arousing all its residents to the campaign for planting and cultivating turf. They also conducted among the residents such activities of information on biological features of turf and method of its cultivation as well as the importance of turf-planting.

In Sariwon City, North Hwanghae Province, areas of more than 27 000 square meters were covered with turf of new species.

Meanwhile, knowledge of a new kind of turf and other ground covers is almost every day introduced through newspapers, TV and other media.