The distribution of teak plants donated by the Sri Lankan government for planting in local islands has officially commenced.
The Ministry of Tourism and Environment said the project is part of the 5 Million Trees Programme launched by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, as part of his presidential pledge.
As part of this year's Environment Day activities, teak trees will be planted across various resorts in the Maldives. Highlighting the initiative, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism said it will positively impact the tourism sector. The Ministry is currently donating teak trees, which are now increasingly rare in the Maldives, to resorts that have expressed interest in planting them.
The first shipment of teak trees received from Sri Lanka has already been sent for planting in all airports in the Maldives. In addition, efforts are underway to extend the distribution of the trees to all residential islands of the Maldives, under the project’s second phase. Teak trees will serve as a landmark in all islands of the Maldives, the Ministry noted.
Various tree planting events are being held in the Maldives on celebration of the World Environment Day. The Ministry said promotional banners for the Five Million Trees Programme have been sent to one island in each atoll. In addition, tree planting programmes will be conducted in Meemu, Raa, and Shaviyani Atolls later this month, the Ministry said.
The Ministry emphasised that the planting of teak trees in the Maldives is an important step to protect the natural environment of the Maldives. The Ministry expressed gratitude for the assistance of the Sri Lankan government in providing the plants.
Over 500,000 plants have been planted under the Five Million Tree Programme to date.