News Desk
MALE’ — The government has awarded grants to ten island councils to build plant nurseries that will supply trees for President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s five million tree planting programme, with MVR 500,000 allocated to each island from a MVR 32 million Green Fund budget set aside for the initiative.
Agreements were signed with the ten councils at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy. The islands selected are Kelaa in Haa Alif, Milandhoo in Shaviyani, Kendhikulhudhoo in Noonu, Innamaadhoo in Raa, Maalhos in Baa, Mathiveri in Alif Alif, Muli in Meemu, Kinbidhoo in Thaa, Thinadhoo City in Gaafu Dhaal and Daandhoo in Gaafu Alif.
Environment Minister Ali Shareef said 1.6 million trees have been planted under the programme so far, with 600,000 of those planted this year alone. The President’s target for 2026 is one million trees, and the minister said the programme is on track to meet that figure before the year ends.
Selection of the ten islands was based on available land. The ministry required each island to have at least 5,000 square feet of suitable ground and for tree planting to be designated within the island’s land use plan. Islands that already had some nursery activity underway were given additional consideration. Each nursery must be completed within seven months of receiving the grant.
Trees produced at the nurseries will be distributed to surrounding islands for planting across the region.
The five million tree programme was announced by President Muizzu and launched on Environment Day last year, with the stated goals of restoring tree cover that has been lost across the archipelago, increasing greenery and maintaining ecological balance in a country acutely exposed to the effects of climate change.
