Atotal of 21.37 million trees, including State-owned Forest plantations, have been grown across the country during this rainy season, said President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing.
The third tree-growing ceremony at the national level in 2026 took place along both sides of Thitkhwa and Kissapanadi roads, north of the diplomatic zone, Dekkhinathiri Township, yesterday.
The President revealed that the ceremony will cover the cultivation of 3,000 saplings, including three species of flowery plants and 10 species of perennial trees as part of efforts to achieve the target of 50 per cent forest cover across the nation.
He noted that everybody knows flooding in some townships of Ayeyawady, Sagaing and Mandalay regions and Shan State is triggered by heavy rains.
The President stressed the need to implement forest conservation projects, including the Forest Restoration Project, the 13-district arid zone greening project, and the Comprehensive Management Project for Coastal Mangrove Forests in line with their respective objectives to increase forest cover across the country.
The President urged all relevant departments and the public to work together in systematically implementing climate change mitigation measures across various sectors.
He recounted that tree-planting ceremonies were also held in Minbu and Meiktila towns starting last year. This year, national-level tree-planting ceremonies were held once each in PyinOoLwin on 12 July and Minbu on 13 July. These activities also contribute to efforts to develop Nay Pyi Taw into a clean, orderly and green capital.
The President called for growing perennial industrial crops, such as bamboo and rubber, in suitable and available areas, as these trees not only contribute to greening and environmental conservation but also support the national economy. The President underlined that the Region and State Governments, relevant departments and organizations across the country have to make vigorous efforts, with public participation, as a national duty to promote the development of Green Cities, Clean Cities, Smart Cities and Green Villages throughout the country.
On the occasion, the President planted a Gangaw sapling (Mesua ferrea) at the designated location.
Also present at the ceremony were Vice-Presidents U Nyo Saw and Nan Ni Ni Aye, the Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker, the Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker, the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and Union-level dignitaries. The President viewed around the activities participated in by the attendees in the tree-growing ceremony. — MNA/TTA