(VientianeTimes) The Water Resource and Environment Authority (WREA) has teamed up with other sectors to create activities to promote environmental management and increase green spaces at schools and villages to mark International Year of Forests 2011.

Director General of WREA's Environment Department Dr Viengsavanh Douangsavanh told Vientiane Times the department plans to increase public awareness of the importance of environmental protection.

The department will cooperate with youth volunteers in Vientiane to organise activities at schools and villages such as tree planting.

As 2011 is the United Nations' International Year of Forests, WREA will cooperate closely with various sectors such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, schools and local authorities to spread the conservation message.

Dr Viengsavanh said that this year the Japanese government is assisting Laos regarding ecotourism, chemical-free farming, and environmental management through cooperation with travel authorities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment worth US$10,000.

She said the Vientiane authority has set up a campaign to reward districts who follow the capital's clean, green and beautiful slogan, using the four main districts of Chanthabouly, Sikhottabong, Sisattanak and Xaysettha as models. The campaign, which will begin on May 30, will be expanded to other districts throughout Laos with everyone encouraged to take part.

Waste management is another major concern for the department, which plans to cooperate with the Vientiane Bus Association and market authorities to clamp down on littering, she said.

Dr Viengsavanh urged both public and private sectors to pay more attention to environmental management and take care of the world.

She said the media, in particular, plays an important role in spreading messages about environmental conservation and the impacts of deforestation.