Nepal plans to plant 10 million saplings to mitigate climate change
Nepal’s Minister for Forest and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, has announced an extensive initiative to combat climate change by instructing all subordinate bodies to plant 10 million saplings across local levels during the ongoing monsoon season. This effort is part of a broader strategy to address environmental degradation and climate-related challenges.
The monsoon season in Nepal, which typically runs from June 13 to September 23, has been identified as an optimal period for this large-scale plantation drive. Minister Thakuri has directed forest offices, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Offices, national parks, reservoir areas, and local administrative units to coordinate and execute this ambitious project.
The Ministry of Forest and Environment emphasized that every subordinate office must actively participate to ensure the success of the campaign. This initiative aims to counteract the adverse environmental impacts caused by greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide, which have accumulated over the past two centuries.
Minister Thakuri highlighted the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, landslides, and avalanches, as severe consequences of climate change. He stressed that these disruptions are not only affecting Nepal’s mountainous regions but also impacting human lives, economic development, biodiversity, and the tourism sector.
Referencing a 2004 report on climate change, Thakuri noted that forests are crucial in absorbing approximately 60 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. The plantation drive is expected to enhance the country’s green cover, helping mitigate the effects of climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.
The campaign reflects Nepal’s commitment to addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change while contributing positively to global environmental efforts.
