Egypt plans to plant 7.7 million trees this financial year – ministry

Egypt’s Ministry of Local Development has announced its contribution to plant 7.7 million tree over the current financial year within the framework of the Presidential initiative 100 Million Trees, according to an official statement on Sunday.

This step came during state’s efforts in the climate change portfolio as it coincides the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) that will be next November in Sharm El Sheikh.

The ministry will be responsible to plant 79.7 million trees during the initiative, while the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities will plant 20.3 million trees according to the respective planned numbers, the statement added.

The initiative aims to improve air quality, reduce the risks of global warming, preserve citizens’ public health, combat food poverty, minister Hesham Amna said.

Amna mentioned the initiative’s goals are to increase the green patch, provide jobs working in planting new trees, and achieve the state’s economic benefit.

According to the statement, the treated sewage water will be used to irrigate trees, beautify bridges using ornamental trees, and paint the facades of buildings overlooking those bridges.

The 100 Million Trees initiative is targeting 9,900 sites throughout the governorates on an area of up to 6,600 acres fit for tree forests or gardens, as it is scheduled to be implemented over a period of seven years, starting from the current fiscal year.