The Maldives has crossed a major threshold in its most expansive reforestation effort to date, with more than 650,000 trees planted under the government’s ‘Five Million Trees Planting Programme’. Figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment place the current total at 658,294 trees, underscoring the scale of the initiative aimed at restoring the country’s natural landscapes and reinforcing its environmental resilience.
The programme was first introduced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu during his address at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The summit, recognised as the world’s foremost climate forum, provided the platform for the Maldives to announce its five-year commitment to plant five million trees. The campaign officially began on World Environment Day.
At the heart of the initiative is a mission to revitalise endangered tree species native to the Maldives, expand green cover across the islands, and promote ecological sustainability. While the programme’s title references five million trees, pledges from a broad coalition of public institutions and private entities have raised the target to 6.4 million, making it the largest tree-planting endeavour in the nation’s history.
A key component of the campaign involves the cultivation of indigenous species at risk of extinction. Authorities have identified 90 such species, which are now being prioritised for propagation and replanting. This focus by President Muizzu’s government reflects a broader strategy to preserve biodiversity while addressing the environmental vulnerabilities of the island nation.
The government has set a near-term goal of planting two million trees by the end of the current year. Support has come from across sectors, with several major organisations committing substantial numbers. Rosewood Ranfaru has pledged 1,478,244 trees, while both the Housing Development Corporation and Maldives Ports Limited have committed to one million each. SDM Farm has offered 750,000 trees, the State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) 600,000, and RCL 500,000. Additional contributors have collectively promised 1,081,150 trees, reinforcing the momentum behind the national effort.
Public engagement has also been encouraged, with the government inviting citizens to participate through tree donations and planting activities. The campaign has drawn attention beyond national borders, with neighbouring countries reportedly contributing trees to support the initiative.