Sixty coconut palms have been planted in Hulhumale’ Phase Two to commemorate the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day.
The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC). The ceremony was graced by the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Dr Maryam Mariya, who planted a coconut palm to officially kick off the event.
In addition to the Agriculture Minister, the event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage, Ministry Tourism and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, and HDC. In addition, schoolchildren and senior citizens also participated in the tree-planting activity.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Mariya highlighted the importance of planting coconut palms, especially in the islands.
"I invite all the atolls to join us in planting coconut palms. The coconut palm is our national tree. We must increase it and make use of the benefits from it. so I am very pleased this initiative took place today. My hope is that the atolls will also follow suit with enthusiasm, and cultivate more palms," the Minister said.
The 60 coconut palm planting event in Hulhumale’ was part of the government's five million tree planting campaign. Nearly 600,000 trees have been planted under this initiative.