Sunday 23 Feb
The Ministry of Local Development is overseeing the tree planting and afforestation project along the ring road and major traffic arteries in Greater Cairo (Cairo, Giza, and Qalyubia). This initiative is part of the presidential campaign to plant 100 million trees.
Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development, announced the commencement of a project to tag all trees planted thus far in Cairo and Giza. This initiative reflects the Ministry's commitment to the project's success and sustainability. Tagging the trees will help preserve them, prevent illegal removal, and facilitate maintenance, regular monitoring, and pruning. The goal is to maximize the project's environmental benefits and ensure its long-term urban sustainability.
The Minister of Local Development
directed the Ministry's Strategic Management and Local Development Sector to
intensify afforestation efforts within Greater Cairo's ring road and traffic
axes. This includes coordinating with Cairo and Giza Cleaning and
Beautification Authorities, governorate agriculture directorates, and water and
sanitation companies to plant, maintain, and irrigate trees.
Future plans include expanding
afforestation to all cultivable areas, prioritizing the ring road and main
axes, and increasing tree planting in public spaces. The project will also
promote sustainable irrigation technologies, including the use of treated
sewage water. Planting has already begun in some identified locations in
Qalyubia Governorate.
The Minister emphasized that this
project encompasses several goals, including contributing to the achievement of
the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and mitigating the effects of climate
change by increasing vegetation cover, improving the urban environment,
enhancing the aesthetic landscape of cities, and raising the quality of life in
Greater Cairo by increasing green spaces and promoting public health by
reducing pollutants and increasing the percentage of oxygen.
Dr. Awad also pointed out that among the goals are reducing soil erosion and drift, improving the properties of agricultural soil, reducing noise pollution by absorbing noise, enhancing community partnership by involving citizens in afforestation efforts, and applying sustainable standards for preserving and maintaining trees on a regular basis.
