State Electric Company (STELCO) has commenced a programme to plant 500,000 saplings over 5 years.

STELCO's Managing Director Hussain Fahmy inaugurated the tree plantation programme at a special ceremony held on Wednesday to mark the International Environment Day.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to plant 5 million trees across the country over the next five years to make the country greener, protect the environmental systems of trees, and increase the country's awareness of the dangers of climate change.

As part of STELCO's tree plantation programme, the Company will plant trees in 30 islands across the Maldives, including the Male' area. The inaugural ceremony for the programme was held in Thulusdhoo.

Speaking on the occasion, STELCO MD Fahmy said that one of the main objectives of the programme was to contribute to ensure that STELCO does not contribute any harm to the environment.

"Today, we have commenced the process of planting saplings. The details of the islands selected for this programme will be shared with the relevant authorities. We have commenced the plantation programme in 30 islands under STELCO as well as Male' area with about 27,000 trees. While we may not reap the benefits from the trees planted today, this initiative will benefit the future generations. As such, this initiative is an investment for the future," Fahmy said.

Speaking on the occasion, President of Tulusdhoo Council Office, Aslam Moosa said that the programme launched today shows that STELCO is actively taking part to combat carbon emission in the country.

"Even if trees are planted, maintaining trees will not be a trivial task. We will not cease our efforts after planting trees. As such, we have already had multiple meetings with various leaders to discuss ways to maintain the greenery in the island. There are nine institutions in Thulushdoo that will actively work together to care for the plants and make Thuludhoo a greener environment," Aslam said.

As part of the program, 5,000 plants and 1,000 palm trees will be planted in Tulusdhoo. The ceremony was attended by officials of the Ministry of Environment, STELCO, Male' Atoll Council President Aslam Moosa, Council members, Thulusdhoo residents and school students.