Anadolu Agency, Türkiye’s top news source, on Friday planted 320 tree saplings in the capital Ankara in honor of Nov. 11 National Afforestation Day, an event celebrated annually since 2019.
Executives and employees of Anadolu Agency were present at the event, in which saplings were planted near the agency’s Centennial Memorial Forest in Ataturk Forest Farm.
“Türkiye stands in first place among all European countries on afforestation, as well as holding fourth place across the world,” Hale Aydogmus, an environment editor, said during the event.
“In the last 20 years, total forestland in Türkiye has increased by 2 million hectares,” she added.
The total area of forestland in Türkiye has grown from 20.8 million hectares in 2002 to 22.9 million in 2022, according to Forestry General Directorate.
At least 6 billion tree saplings have been planted since 2002.
Saying that the efforts so far are significant but not enough, she stressed that “the green” has to be protected by both people and society.
“We’re going to put up a fight to regain our green lands by not only planting trees but also repairing the ecosystem,” she emphasized, adding that doing so is critical.
“We owe it to the planet as well as future generations,” she underlined.
To mark National Afforestation Day, every year on Nov. 11 simultaneous tree planting is carried out in all 81 provinces of Türkiye at 11.11 a.m.
This year’s theme is “A Breath into the Century of Türkiye.”
Türkiye has enjoyed an intense afforestation campaign over the past two decades in comparison with European countries, she said, adding that Nov. 11 should be viewed as a day of sensitivity and awareness towards green life.
Source: Anadolu Agency
