The government has awarded grants to 10 islands to establish plant nurseries under the national Five Million Trees Programme.
The Ministry of Tourism and Environment signed agreements with the respective island councils during a ceremony held on Tuesday.
The first phase of the initiative will see nurseries established in:
- Haa Alifu Kelaa
- Shaviyani Milandhoo
- Noonu Kendhikulhudhoo
- Raa Innamaadhoo
- Baa Maalhos
- Alifu Alifu Mathiveri
- Meemu Mulah
- Thaa Kinbidhoo
- Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo
Under the agreements, each island will receive MVR 500,000 for the construction of a nursery, bringing the total allocation for the project to MVR 5 million.
According to the ministry, construction work is to be completed within seven months of signing the agreements.
The nurseries are expected to serve as key hubs for the implementation of the Five Million Trees Programme and will each have the capacity to grow approximately 50,000 trees annually.
The ministry said the facilities would improve the distribution of saplings to nearby islands and strengthen efforts to expand tree planting across the country.
To support the initiative, training programmes are also being planned for nursery staff.
The Five Million Trees Programme was launched as part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's pledge to plant five million trees within five years. The programme began on World Environment Day in 2024.
According to the ministry, more than 1.6 million trees have been planted so far, with a further one million trees targeted for planting this year.
