State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has committed to planting at least 500,000 trees over the next five years as part of a larger environmental initiative.

The agreement for the initiative was signed by STELCO Managing Director Hussain Fahmy and Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim, marking the official start of the program on Kaafu atoll Thulusdhoo.

This morning, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated a program aiming to plant five million trees across the Maldives.

The launch event, held at Lonuziyaaraiy Park, featured the planting of 22 varieties of trees that are native to the Maldives but currently at risk of extinction.

These included fruit trees, shade trees, flowering trees, and species used in traditional Dhivehi medicine.

Attending the ceremony alongside the President were First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef and his wife, Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Male' Mayor Adam Azim, Cabinet Ministers, and other senior state officials.

The government has announced plans to extend this reforestation effort to all inhabited islands and resorts.

Minister Thoriq highlighted that over 90 different types of trees would be planted across the Maldives within the next five years.

The health of these trees and their carbon sequestration capabilities will be closely monitored.

The tree planting initiative is a key component of President Muizzu's pledge to create a greener Maldives and enhance resilience against climate change.