More than two million trees have been planted across the Maldives under the Government's Five Million Tree Programme, marking progress towards the programme's nationwide tree-planting target.
Statistics from the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy show that 2,040,866 trees have been planted so far. The programme has an overall target of 5,859,394 trees, with a further 3,818,528 trees to be planted to reach that target.
The Government launched the Five Million Tree Programme to restore tree species disappearing from the Maldives and increase greenery across the country. It is the largest tree-planting programme undertaken in the Maldives to date and is being carried out with the assistance and cooperation of State-owned companies and other institutions.
Although named the Five Million Tree Programme, various institutions and private parties have committed to planting 6.4 million trees under the initiative.
Figures on trees planted by participating companies and institutions show that Rosewood has planted 1,478,244 trees, accounting for 25.2 per cent of the total. HDC has planted 1,002,856 trees, or 17.1 per cent, while MACL and MTCC have each planted one million trees, also accounting for 17.1 per cent each.
SDM Farm has planted 750,000 trees, accounting for 12.8 per cent, while STELCO has planted 500,000 trees, or 8.5 per cent.
The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy has undertaken several measures to expand the programme across different parts of the Maldives and accelerate its implementation. As part of these efforts, the Ministry has provided grants to 10 islands to establish nurseries to grow the trees required for the programme.
The Ministry has also begun developing a "Green Nursery" in Hulhumalé for tree planting, with work on the project continuing.