Under the banner of “Breath for the Future, Breath for the Republic” on the Republic’s centenary, substantial afforestation initiatives have taken root throughout the Eastern Anatolia Region. This yr, a complete drive has led to the planting of 8.15 million saplings, protecting an expansive 6,870 hectares of steppe land in 8 provinces.
Initiated by the Elazığ Regional Directorate of Forestry, the “Breathing for the Future” marketing campaign, launched in alignment with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s proclamation of November 11 as “National Afforestation Day” in 2019, has been instrumental in executing afforestation efforts in Elazığ, Malatya, Bingöl, Tunceli, Bitlis, Van, Hakkari and Muş.
The marketing campaign has witnessed the cultivation of 86 various sapling species, comprised of cedar, oak, juniper, larch, ash, mahlep, aylantus, almond and walnut. These saplings have been nurtured inside institution-run nursery directorates.
The focused afforestation and erosion management areas spanning 6,870 hectares throughout the eight provinces have now been enriched by planting 8.15 million saplings. This initiative signifies a monumental step towards reclaiming and cultivating huge tracts of land for a greener, extra sustainable future.
Muhammed Salih Çetiner, the Forestry Regional Director in Elazığ, highlighted the peril of worldwide warming and local weather change resulting in the looming menace of desertification worldwide. In response, nations have taken precautionary measures to fight this situation.
Çetiner emphasised the importance of “National Afforestation Day,” designated by the President on November 11, aiming to boost consciousness and foster a greener atmosphere in Türkiye. He reported the completion of sapling planting initiatives throughout high-altitude provinces in alignment with this trigger.
Currently, sapling planting initiatives persist in Elazığ and Malatya. Çetiner proudly acknowledged, “Elazığ Regional Directorate of Forestry stands out as the leading producer of saplings.” 13 million saplings have been cultivated throughout numerous forest nursery directorates, with main contributions from Elazığ, Malatya, Tunceli and Bingöl.
Çetiner recommended the devoted efforts of groups throughout eight provinces, mentioning erosion management measures executed in areas designated for sapling plantation. In collaboration with the Ministry, he expressed his dedication to depart a verdant and extra breathable Türkiye for future generations.
“We are nearing completion in our sapling planting endeavors, having already planted 80% of the saplings. By year-end, we aim to achieve 100% completion, aspiring to bequeath a lusher environment to the coming generations,” acknowledged Çetiner.
He underscored the importance of those planting efforts, highlighting their essential function in saturating the nation with greenery. Çetiner additionally talked about the Forestry Directorate’s afforestation applications, emphasizing their constructive contribution to the area’s dam-rich panorama and their work within the higher basins, which aids the dams’ sustainability.
Asserting their dedication to stopping landslides and soil erosion from streams and rivers to dams and lakes, Çetiner emphasised the utilization of surplus saplings in alignment with the necessities of public establishments, municipalities and the market. Additionally, surplus saplings are distributed to neighboring regional directorates.
Çetiner passionately acknowledged, “The saplings we cultivate represent a significant effort towards saturating our country, particularly our region, with lush greenery. Every individual involved, from laborers to technical personnel, is engaged in this noble endeavor for a greener Türkiye. These planted saplings will serve as a breath of fresh air for our future, our republic and the global environment.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
