Residents of the capital might soon enjoy life in the shade as the city heads toward completing a large-scale greenbelt program ahead of time, according to forestry authorities.

Though the planting season ended in May, with 136 square kilometers covered with green in an afforestation project the government launched in March, planting continues as the city takes advantage of the rainy weather lately.

"It's likely the capital will be covered with more green earlier this year," said Fang Hao, an official with the Beijing Landscape and Forestry Bureau.