Aleppo/Homs, Nov. 02 (SANA) Tree-planting and clean-up campaigns, along with environmental awareness and community activities, were launched in Aleppo and Homs on Sunday to mark National Environment Day, with the participation of government departments, volunteer teams, associations and civil society organizations.
The activities aim to improve environmental conditions, expand green spaces, rehabilitate parks and planted areas, and promote public cleanliness and the protection of vegetation.
“Green Aleppo Returns”
In Aleppo city, the City Council’s Parks Directorate launched the “Green Aleppo Returns” campaign, which will continue until April 1, 2027.
Parks Director Abdul Razzaq al-Hajji told SANA that the campaign seeks to replace trees lost to excessive felling and firewood collection in recent years, helping restore the city’s appearance and green spaces.
Nada Fashtouk, head of the al-Ansari municipal sector, said planting work covered four areas, including Saif al-Dawla, al-Sharitiyah, al-Sukkari and al-Ansari parks. The work is being carried out in cooperation with community groups and the Environment, Parks and Civil Defense directorates.
Rezan Khalil, head of the administrative committee at Bahar Organization, said the organization had joined planting activities along the route from al-Shifaa Roundabout to the 3,000 Apartments Roundabout, passing through Clock Tower Square. He stressed the importance of contributions by individuals and institutions to expanding green spaces.
Volunteer campaigns in Azaz
In Azaz, District Director Khaled Yassin said the “Green Azaz Returns” campaign had begun with the participation of the City Council, district administration, Agriculture and Parks Division, and volunteer teams. The initiative aims to plant more than 2,000 trees at various locations across the area.
Sanaa Hassano, a member of the Azaz City Council’s executive office, said the first phase involves planting around 500 saplings at four sites, including the public park, Musab bin Hassoun Park and other gardens.
Ahmad Kallo, head of the Green Heart Association, said the association had joined several volunteer teams in the initiative, which is scheduled to run for 15 days.
Six parks to be rehabilitated in al-Bab
In al-Bab, City Council Chairman Ali al-Rajab said a campaign had been launched to plant trees, rehabilitate parks and expand green spaces.
Mohammad Abu Kasha, head of the council’s Parks Division, and Hossam Sweid, a Civil Defense center team leader, said work had begun to rehabilitate six parks and plant around 500 trees of various species. Civil Defense teams are to plant an additional 500 trees.
Joint efforts to raise environmental awareness
Roula Safar, a member of Aleppo Governorate’s executive office responsible for health and the environment, said activities included tree-planting and clean-up campaigns in Aleppo city and the areas of Azaz, al-Bab, Afrin and Manbij.
Aleppo Environment Director Ahmad al-Daher said volunteer activities covering tree planting, environmental awareness and clean-up work were taking place in several city neighborhoods and in Afrin, Azaz, al-Bab and Manbij.
Homs honours sanitation workers
In Homs, the governorate held a central celebration under the patronage of Governor Murhaf al-Naasan and organized by the Environment Directorate under the slogan “Reclaiming Our Environment… Continuing the Story.” The event took place at Sami al-Droubi Hall in the Culture Directorate and included the recognition of outstanding sanitation workers, as well as environmental and community activities.
The programme included the opening of an eco-friendly products market titled “From Our Environment, for Our Environment” and a tree-planting campaign in the Culture Directorate’s garden.
Homs Environment Director Talal al-Ali said the recognition of sanitation workers was intended to acknowledge their role in protecting the environment and encourage them to continue their work in public cleanliness and waste management. He added that the environmental programme would run for a full week across the governorate’s administrative units.
Homs Tourism Director Nizar al-Tawil stressed that environmental protection was essential to supporting tourism. He called for keeping public facilities and streets clean, reducing air pollution and protecting water resources from pollution and neglect.
Hamza Abdul Karim Dahiya of the Parks Directorate said work in the Culture Directorate’s garden included cleaning and weeding planting beds, as well as planting flowering plants and shrubs suited to the available spaces.
National Environment Day aims to strengthen public awareness and shared responsibility for protecting natural resources, reducing pollution and expanding green spaces through cooperation among institutions, individuals and local communities.
N.J/ R.K
