First nursery under 5 million tree planting project opens in S. Meedhoo

The first of 20 nurseries planned to be established in different parts of the Maldives has been officially opened in S. Meedhoo, under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's pledge to further expand the national 5 million tree planting project within five years. The nurseries are funded by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, with development signed this year. The nursery opened in Meedhoo is a site established on 23,000 square feet of land. The Environment Ministry said that due to this nursery, the project will be further expanded at atoll level and an easy means has been created for the islands in that area to obtain the trees they need. The Ministry said that work on the remaining 19 nurseries under the project is also progressing at full speed, and the aim is to complete work on all of those nurseries as soon as possible. It further highlighted that establishing such nurseries in different atolls of the Maldives is an important step taken to protect the fragile environment of the Maldives for future generations. It also creates opportunities for nearby islands to obtain trees and opens new avenues for island councils to earn income by selling trees. The Ministry said that when the entire project is completed, a total of 21 nurseries will be established in different parts of the Maldives. This includes a large 55,000 square foot nursery being developed in Hulhumale under free aid from the Chinese Government, and work on that nursery is expected to be completed and opened within the next year. The 5 million tree planting program, carried out under the directive of the President of the Republic, is receiving a great response, and so far 2.4 million trees have been planted under this program in different parts of the Maldives. The government's main objective is to establish a green, environmentally friendly island and to further strengthen national efforts to cope with climate change.