Maldives plants nearly one million trees in nationwide climate push
Island nation expands ambitious tree-planting programme as part of long-term effort to protect biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience
MALÉ, Maldives (MNTV) — The Maldives is approaching a major milestone in its nationwide environmental restoration campaign, with close to one million trees planted under a government-led initiative aimed at strengthening climate resilience and restoring threatened ecosystems across the island country.
Launched on World Environment Day in June 2024, the government’s 5 Million Tree Planting Programme was initially designed to plant five million trees nationwide. Authorities have since expanded the target to 6.4 million, citing strong participation from state-owned enterprises, private companies, civil society groups, and growing public engagement with environmental conservation.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, more than 985,000 trees have already been planted, putting the country on track to surpass the one-million mark by the end of December. The plantings include native and climate-resilient species, with officials confirming that at least two laurelwood trees have been planted on every inhabited island. This approach is intended to ensure nationwide ecological coverage rather than concentrating green spaces in select urban areas.
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to address the Maldives’ extreme vulnerability to climate change. As one of the world’s lowest-lying nations, the country faces mounting threats from sea-level rise, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events, all of which jeopardize livelihoods, food security, and public health.
Government officials say the tree-planting drive is designed not only to increase green cover but also to restore degraded land, preserve biodiversity, and create natural buffers against climate impacts. Native species are expected to stabilize soil, support local wildlife, and improve microclimates on densely populated islands.
Beyond environmental benefits, the program is also framed as a long-term investment in sustainability. Authorities argue that expanded vegetation can help reduce heat stress, improve air quality, and protect the natural landscapes that underpin the Maldivian economy, particularly its tourism sector.
As global attention increasingly shifts toward nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, the Maldives’ expanding tree-planting program is being positioned as an example of how small island states can pursue large-scale environmental action despite limited land and resources.
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