Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has signed legislation to plant 3 million trees, with irrigation systems, in the Karakum Desert this year, UPI reported. The National Forest Program is intended to turn the desert, which covers about 70 percent of the country, into a "flowering garden," RIA Novosti reported. Half of the 3 million trees will be planted in a 62 mile stretch between the towns of Anau and Baharly in the country's south, while the other half is to be planted in by local authorities across Turkmenistan's five regions, a report on Turkmenistan.gov.tm said. The trees will be a mix of unspecified deciduous, coniferous and fruit trees, as well as grapevine, all of which are to be provided with sufficient irrigation, the report said.
