Sri Lanka-donated teak to be planted across Maldives’ resorts on Environment Day

Teak plants donated to the Maldives by neighboring Sri Lanka are set to be planted in resorts across the Maldives on Environment Day.

The teak plants were donated by the Sri Lankan government to support the five million tree campaign launched in the Maldives last year.

The Environment Ministry announced on Monday that it has begun distributing the first batch of teak plants donated by Sri Lanka.

According to the ministry, the teak will be planted in resorts across the Maldives as part of celebrations for World Environment Day on Thursday.

Teak has a significant role in Maldivian history and culture, with its use for handcraft.

The Environment Ministry has said that tree planting activities will be held not just in resorts, but in all Maldivian islands on Environment Day.

The five million tree campaign was launched by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu with the aim of planting five million trees in five years on June 5, 2024, in celebration of the World Environment Day.

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.

According to the ministry, total 565,890 trees have been planted under the program as of May 29.

Meanwhile, the total pledges now exceed the original goal of five million trees, with pledges to plant 6,331,100 trees.