ULAN BATOR, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has launched a national campaign to protect the environment, according to a statement on the website of the country's Environment and Tourism Ministry on Tuesday.

The month-long campaign aims to raise public awareness of environmental protection and intensify efforts to protect environment, especially rivers and lakes, the ministry said in the statement.

During the national campaign starting on Monday, employees of the government, non-governmental organizations and companies will clean several major rivers and lakes across the country.

In addition, the ministry and relevant agencies plan to hold numerous activities, including publicity campaigns on environmental protection and volunteering to plant trees along river banks.