Over 200,000 saplings planted as part of the "Forest Generation" campaign
The afforestation campaign started today in the village of Mălăiesti, Orhei district. More than 600 government employees, Moldsilva workers, and volunteers participated in planting trees. Throughout the day, over 200,000 saplings, including red oak, maple, ash, and acacia, were planted on over 40 hectares. This initiative is part of the national "Forest Generation" campaign, launched in 2023, which aims to rehabilitate degraded forest areas and create new forests by 2032. The goal is to increase the afforestation rate from the current 12% to 15%.
Minister of the Environment, Sergiu Lazarencu, emphasized the importance of forest planting due to Moldova's vulnerability to climate change, stating, "As long as the weather conditions allow, we will also plant in December. It is crucial to plant forests because the Republic of Moldova has the lowest amount of precipitation in Europe and the lowest afforestation rate. Having more forest is essential."
Several ministers joined the planting event, including the Minister of Health, Ala Nemerenco, who said: "We have been participating in afforestation for several years. Moldova needs to care for its natural environment, especially as the Ministry of Health encourages everyone to plant trees."
"The afforestation campaign is vital for the future of the Republic of Moldova, particularly in the context of climate change. We are facing drought conditions, especially projected for the summer of 2024", said Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Vladimir Bolea.
"By planting a tree, we are planting the future of the country. The 'Forest Generation' campaign is an initiative aimed at enhancing Moldova's afforestation efforts", said Daniel Vodă, spokesperson for the Government.
Justice Minister Veronica Mihailov-Moraru also participated alongside her family, stating, "This campaign highlights the value of nature. We must all engage in this effort to care for our environment because nature provides us with air and oxygen." President Maia Sandu joined the afforestation campaign in the village of Frumușica, located in the commune of Băcioi. She planted acacia and ash saplings alongside hundreds of volunteers. In a social media post, she thanked everyone for their participation and encouraged continued support for the planting activities scheduled in the coming weeks across the country.
This autumn, more than 26 million saplings—including oak, ash, acacia, and maple—grown in the nurseries of the "Moldsilva" Agency, will be planted.
"The campaign is significant because planting trees improves the forest fund: more trees mean more oxygen, better health, and a greener country," stated officials.
In the past, there was an irrigation reservoir in the area that has since dried up, reducing the local cattle population from 600 to just 11. "Now it is welcome here to plant a forest," said a local resident.
This year, over 7,300 hectares will be reforested, with 3,300 hectares planted this spring. Today’s event, titled "Government Plant #Forest Generation," is part of the National Forest Extension and Rehabilitation Program, which aims to afforest 145,000 hectares over the next decade.
