Damascus, Dec. 15 (SANA) Syria launched on Monday the “Our Green Countryside” initiative in the rural areas surrounding Damascus. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, the campaign aims to plant 500,000 trees across the region, marking the first phase of a multi-stage project designed to combat desertification and restore the local environment.
The launch event, was attended by key figures, including Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr, Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh, Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh , and Damascus Countryside Governor Amer al-Sheikh. The event also saw the active participation of local residents, non-governmental organizations, and international agencies.
The initiative is structured in three phases. The first stage will focus on planting trees along major roads and public streets at the entrances to Damascus Countryside. The second phase will extend to urban areas, while the final stage will engage local communities in sustainable agricultural projects, fostering long-term environmental stewardship.
Minister Badr highlighted the significance of the campaign, stating, “Planting 500,000 trees will play a crucial role in restoring green cover, especially in forested areas. This initiative is essential for environmental recovery and is key to strengthening community resilience and stability.”
He further emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of tree planting, noting, “Instilling the value of environmental care in future generations will have a lasting positive impact on both climate improvement and public health.”
Minister al-Saleh echoed these remarks, underscoring the national importance of the initiative. “Syria is suffering from the devastating effects of desertification and drought, which have severely impacted agriculture and the economy,” he said.
Reflecting on the long-term environmental damage caused by the conflict, Minister al-Saleh added, that the former regime’s actions devastated the land, forests, and infrastructure over 14 years. However, this campaign, which began with the planting of one million trees across Syria, including Idleb, has now expanded to Damascus Countryside and will soon reach regions like Latakia and Homs, breathing new life into our lands.
The “Our Green Countryside” initiative represents a broader national effort to restore ecological balance and mitigate the environmental challenges facing Syria, while fostering a culture of sustainability and resilience among its citizens.
