The Government has announced plans to plant two million trees before the end of the year as part of its Five Million Tree Plantation Programme, a nationwide environmental initiative.

The programme, led by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, is aimed at combating climate change, restoring biodiversity, and protecting native tree species.

Launched on June 5, 2024 to coincide with World Environment Day, the initiative is a key part of the Administration’s environmental conservation strategy. Over the next five years, it seeks to plant five million trees across the country.

Speaking at the fourth session of the Ahaa forum on Saturday, Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim said the Government’s goal is to plant more than one million trees this year, with a target of two million. By the end of the five-year period, the total number of trees planted is expected to reach five million.

To ensure the programme’s long-term sustainability, the Government is developing a mobile application that will allow users to track each tree’s location and record details of the individual or organisation responsible for planting it.

A key focus of the initiative is the conservation of native and endangered tree species, including fruit trees, shade trees, flowering plants, and species used in traditional Dhivehi medicine. Over the five-year period, the programme will introduce 90 varieties of fruit-bearing and vegetable-producing plants to support ecological stability and food security.

The Five Million Tree Plantation Programme aligns with the Maldives’ broader efforts to address deforestation and habitat loss while enhancing green cover and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The Government views the initiative as a long-term investment in environmental sustainability and the protection of the country’s natural heritage for future generations.