Since April, 7.13 million trees have been planted in South Africa as part of a programme launched by the country’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa. This was reported by IOL.
The Western Cape saw the highest number of new trees – 2.05 million. In KwaZulu-Natal, 1.05 million were planted, and in Gauteng, 1.01 million. In the other provinces, the number of trees planted ranged from 326,000 to 737,000.
Representatives from government and local authorities, companies, community organisations and local residents are taking part in the planting. The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment noted that their participation helps to preserve the country’s natural heritage and strengthen its resilience to climate change.
The ministry has called on residents to continue planting trees throughout the year and to register new plantings on a dedicated online platform.
Similar forest restoration projects are also underway in other BRICS countries and across the Global South.
In Brazil, a project to conserve 7,200 hectares of Amazonian forest has been approved. Here, saplings will be planted, direct seeding will be carried out and the forest will be allowed to develop naturally. According to Brasil 247, a partner of TV BRICS, over the next 50 years these areas will be able to absorb more than 4.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
In Ethiopia, more than 50 billion saplings have been planted, according to ENA, a partner of TV BRICS. The initiative helps to increase crop yields, cultivate medicinal plants, mitigate the effects of climate change and improve the state of the environment.
In Kyrgyzstan, the forest area has increased by 506,300 hectares since 1993 and now totals 1.273 million hectares. The country continues to expand its forest areas, plant new trees and protect existing stands. Particular attention is being paid to the conservation of forest ecosystems and their sustainable use, reports Akchabar, a partner of TV BRICS.