South Africa unveils program to plant 1 mln trees on Sept. 24

JOHANNESBURG, July 7 (Xinhua) -- South Africa launched an ambitious program on Monday to plant 1 million trees in one day, aiming to mitigate climate change, boost employment, and enhance food security.

At the launch of the program at the National Botanical Garden in Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Bernice Swarts said her department is currently finalizing logistics for the "1 million trees" planting day.

Swarts said communities are experiencing heat waves, heavy rains, floods, and prolonged droughts, which call for joint actions like planting trees. She encouraged corporations, students, civil society, and government departments to donate trees to add to the 1 million that will be planted in a single day on Sept. 24, to celebrate Arbor Month.

"Tree planting is one of the mitigating factors that are recommended to slow down this environmental threat. It is for this reason that the department is pursuing the coordination and implementation of the National Greening Program," said the deputy minister.

Swarts said President Cyril Ramaphosa directed that 10 million trees, with 60 percent being fruit trees and 40 percent indigenous, be planted across the country over a five-year period, which ends in 2026. She said the trees to be planted will contribute to tackling climate change and provide fruit for local communities.

"The program is aimed at creating sustainable settlements, addressing household food security when trees are integrated into homestead gardens, and mitigating against the harmful effects of climate change," said Swarts, revealing that the trees will be planted in public institutions, churches, schools, police stations, clinics, and identified low-income housing units, among other locations. Enditem