Nearly 19m saplings to be planted nationwide this spring

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) has launched a national sapling-planting campaign in Kabul, announcing that nearly 19 million saplings will be planted across the country during the upcoming Afghan New Year.

The ministry stated that the spring campaign was inaugurated in the Badam Bagh area of Kabul under the slogan: “Planting trees is a continuing charity.”

At the event, Agriculture Minister Mawlawi Ataullah Omari urged citizens to actively participate in planting and nurturing saplings.

He noted that, in light of recent years’ droughts and rising air pollution, expanding agriculture and tree planting plays a crucial role in improving air quality and increasing water resources.

He added that joint efforts between the government and the public could make a significant contribution to the country’s greening and prosperity.

Economy Minister Qari Din Mohammad Hanif described the national sapling-planting campaign as a fundamental environmental initiative, emphasising that it should be regarded as a national project.

He stressed that agriculture and natural resources must remain central to development policies to ensure the country’s growth.

Meanwhile, MAIL’s Director General for Natural Resources, Mawlawi Abdul Ahad Khalil, said the ministry had produced nearly 11 million saplings in its nurseries this year, ready for distribution.

He added that approximately 14,000 hectares of mountainous and hilly areas have been reforested and 1,100 hectares of land restored with pistachio, walnut, and pine orchards.

According to the ministry, a total of 18.9 million saplings will be produced and planted nationwide this year.

hz/sa