Close to 500,000 trees planted under 5 million tree campaign

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment said on Tuesday that the five million tree campaign launched by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu last year is gathering momentum, with close to 500,000 trees planted across the Maldives under the program.

President Muizzu launched the program to plant five million trees in five years on June 5, 2024, in celebration of the World Environment Day.

In a post on X on Tuesday, the ministry announced that total 498,968 trees have been planted under the program.

“Every tree planted brings us closer to a greener, healthier Maldives,” commented the ministry in the post.

Meanwhile, the total pledges now exceed the original goal of five million trees.

According to the ministry, they have received pledges to plant 5,219,456 trees.

The program has received support from government institutions and state-owned enterprises, as well as from private companies, schools, clubs and non-governmental organizations, as well as members of the general public.

Top pledges:

• Housing Development Corporation (HDC): 1,000,000 trees
• Maldives Ports Limited (MPL): 1,000,000 trees
• SDM Farm: 750,000 trees
• Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL): 600,000 trees
• State Electric Company (STELCO): 500,000 trees
• Others: 1,369,456 trees

According to the President’s Office, the five million trees 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 seeks to plant trees that are endangered in the Maldives. As such, the project will see the planting of 90 species of trees.