News Desk
The state government of Kerala, has handed over 600 mango and 600 rosewood saplings to the Maldivian Consulate in Trivandrum to support President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s ambitious “5 Million Tree Planting” initiative.
The donation from the Kerala Forest Department fulfills a commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official visit to the Maldives last year. Consul General Aminath Shifana officially received the 1,200 saplings on behalf of the Maldivian government during a ceremony led by Kerala Forest Minister Shibu Baby John.
The mango saplings were sourced from the College of Agriculture in Vellayani, Kerala, while the rosewood saplings were procured from the Central Nursery in Kulathupuzha. The saplings have been specially packaged to ensure they survive the journey and reach the Maldives intact.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, Minister Shibu Baby John expressed pride in Kerala’s participation, noting that the gesture reflects the deep-rooted friendship and strong bilateral ties between India and the Maldives.
The donation directly aligns with President Muizzu’s pledge to plant five million trees across the nation within his five-year term. Launched on World Environment Day on June 5, 2024, the nationwide greening campaign has already seen more than one million trees planted across various islands.
The incoming donation coincides with major domestic progress on the administration’s flagship project to plant five million trees across the Maldives during President Muizzu’s five-year term.
To boost local production, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology signed agreements yesterday with 10 island councils to set up regional plant nurseries.
Under the signed agreements, each council will receive MVR 500,000 in grant funding to build a community nursery, bringing total state funding for this rollout to MVR 5 million. Councils must complete construction within seven months of signing.
The 10 councils receiving grants in this round are:
- HDh. Nolhivaranm
- K. Himmafushi
- ADh. Diddhoo
- F. Dharanboodhoo
- Dh. Meedhoo
- L. Fonadhoo
- L. Hithadhoo
- GA. Villingili
- GDh. Vaadhoo
- Fuvahmulah City and Addu City Meedhoo
These add to an earlier phase covering HA. Kelaa, Sh. Milandhoo, N. Kendhikulhudhoo, R. Innamadhoo, B. Maalhos, AA. Mathiveri, M. Mulah, Th. Kinbidhoo, GA. Dhaandhoo, and GDh. Thinadhoo.
The government plans to establish a total of 20 regional nurseries across the country. Each facility is projected to produce around 50,000 saplings per year, serving as supply hubs for neighboring islands. The Ministry confirmed that training programs are already underway for nursery staff to support operations.
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