The government’s Five Million Trees Planting Programme has garnered widespread support from various organizations, with 3.1 million trees already pledged for planting, according to the Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim. This initiative, which was launched by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on June 5 in conjunction with World Environment Day 2024, is a significant part of the administration’s environmental agenda.
Minister Thoriq highlighted the positive response to the initiative, noting that the programme has already seen 398,000 trees planted on its first day. The project is focused not only on afforestation but also on the preservation of endangered species, with 90 tree species listed as endangered in the Maldives targeted for planting. The programme reflects the government’s commitment to preserving the nation’s fragile ecosystems and addressing the long-term impacts of climate change.
On Saturday, the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) became one of the key contributors to the project. During a tree-planting event held at the site of the commercial port project in K. Thilafushi, MPL CEO Mohamed Wajeeh pledged that the company would plant one million trees as part of the programme. The event was attended by Minister Thoriq, who praised MPL for their commitment.
In a social media post, Minister Thoriq expressed his satisfaction with MPL’s involvement, noting that their contribution brought the total number of pledged trees to 3.1 million. “It’s fantastic to see such strong support for this initiative,” he remarked, adding that over 400,000 trees have already been planted under the programme so far.
The minister also voiced optimism about the future of the project, stating, “I look forward to working with everyone to achieve, and possibly exceed, the target in the coming years.”
According to the President’s Office, the Five Million Trees initiative represents a core part of the government’s strategy to safeguard the Maldives’ delicate ecosystems and mitigate the effects of climate change for the benefit of current and future generations. The project is particularly focused on reviving endangered species, ensuring the long-term protection of the nation’s natural biodiversity.
