UN
Nowruz tree plantation drive starts in Bamyan
7 April 2010 - In the historical province of Bamyan, the provincial Government, UN agencies, local communities and youth groups have joined together to plant trees during the Afghan New Year plantation drive.
Up to 450,000 young saplings will be planted this year according to plans by Bamyan’s Agriculture Department.
“I ask all the residents of Bamyan to plant at least two saplings and contribute to the greening campaign,” said Dr Habiab Sarabi, Governor of Bamyan province.
According to Bamyan’s Agriculture Department 150,000 fruitful and decorative saplings will be distributed to farmers throughout the province.
“The young trees will be given for free but on the condition that in return the farmers plant two more saplings in their villages and look after the young saplings,” said Mr Taher Atayee, Head of the Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock department in Bamyan.
Nowruz, which marks the Afghan New Year and is being celebrated since 21 March, also marks the start of spring and the time for tree plantation in Afghanistan.
This year the Government of Afghanistan has launched the initiative “one tree for me and one tree for Afghanistan” campaign to encourage Afghanistan’s population to take part in the New Year plantation drive.
In Bamyan youth groups have mobilized university and school students to volunteer for this campaign.
“Today two hundred students have joined us to plant six thousands trees around the city,” said Mohammad Ali, a student at Bamyan University.
“Planting trees is important for our lives as one tree provides oxygen for 18 persons and without oxygen we cannot live,” added Mohammad.
Mohammad Ali believes tree plantation is not only important for environment protection but the fruitful trees can help farmers in their agriculture income.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has planned to plant another 70,000 young trees in the new city area and in the communities in the provincial capital.
“The most important thing after plantation is taking care of the young saplings, this year we will educate and work with the communities to look after young trees,” said Andrew Scanlon of UNEP.
By Jaffar Rahim, UNAMA
