STELCO launches project to plant 500,000 trees

State Electric Company (STELCO) has launched a project to plant 500,000 trees over the next five years.

The project was launched on Wednesday, to coincide with the World Environment Day. The project began simultaneously in all 33 islands the company is based in.

The event in K. Thulusdhoo was attended by STELCO’s managing director Hussain Fahmy.

5,000 trees and 1,000 coconut palms were planted in Thulusdhoo on Wednesday.

Fahmy said the project was launched to contribute to the program launched by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, to plant five million trees in five years.

He said that STELCO’s services are deeply linked to the environment, adding that the company does not want to see any harm done to the environment in the provision of its utility services.

President Muizzu’s five million trees project was launched on Wednesday at the Lonuziyaaraiy Park in Male’ City.

According to the President’s Office, the initiative “reflects the government's commitment to safeguarding the country's fragile ecological systems and mitigating the impact of climate change for the benefit of current and future generations.”

The project was one of President Muizzu’s electoral pledges.

Speaking at the COP28 summit in Dubai last year, President Muizzu said the project aims to plant 5 million trees across the Maldives over the next five years.

The project seeks to plant trees that are endangered in the Maldives. As such, the project will see the planting of 90 species of trees.