CECOP’s Green Legacy Tree Plantation Campaign 2024

A Summary of the Campaign

In the spirit of environmental protection and community engagement, CECOP launched its Spring Tree Plantation Campaign, spanning from March 10th to March 31^st.The initiative commenced on March 10^th at Kabul University, where over 100 students gathered to plant trees in the university's yard. The event marked the beginning of a series of impactful tree planting activities aimed at fostering a culture of sustainability. During the event, the deputy director general of the National Environmental Protection Agency asked all the people of Afghanistan to join hands in this matter. He added that planting a single sapling can make a big difference not only for us, but for future generations. In addition, the dean of the Faculty of Environment of Kabul University explained how planting saplings is vital for the protection of our planet. He emphasized that every sapling planted is a beacon of hope for a sustainable future.

On March 25^th, CECOP organized a tree plantation campaign at Kabul Polytechnic University, attended by more than 300 students and distinguished representatives from national and international organizations, including National Environmental protection agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Kabul Municipality, the United Nations and the European Union. Among the esteemed guests were Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, and Raffaella Iodice, Chargée d’Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Afghanistan. Roza Otunbayeva emphasized the vital role of tree plantation in environmental protection and climate resilience, reaffirming UNAMA's commitment to combatting climate change in Afghanistan. Similarly, Raffaella Iodice reiterated the EU's dedication to supporting environmental initiatives in Afghanistan, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing environmental challenges.

Dr. Zainulabudin Abid, deputy director general of the National Environmental Protection Agency, stated that although Afghanistan plays a very small role in the emission of greenhouse gases, it has been affected by the industrial activities of advanced countries and we are witnessing the harmful effects of climate change in Afghanistan, and one of the effective ways to reduce these effects are planting trees.

Moulvi Sadrazam, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mulavi Sadudin Saeed, Deputy Minister of Information and culture,  and Mulavi abdul wakel Mutawkel, the director of greenery directorate of Kabul municipality, shared their speeches and spoke about the importance of plantation from the perspective of Islam and called on all Afghans to take active part in protecting the environment.

Building on this momentum, CECOP continued its tree planting efforts at Kabul Educational University on March 27^th and Logar University on March 28^th. These events saw active participation from students and faculty members, further amplifying the campaign's impact across educational institutions.

Throughout the campaign, CECOP also extended its reach to communities in Kandahar province, where tree planting activities were carried out to promote environmental conservation and community engagement.

As the campaign draws to a close, CECOP celebrates the successful planting of 2,300 trees across Kabul, Logar, and Kandahar provinces. These trees symbolize not only a commitment to greener, healthier communities but also a testament to the collective effort of individuals, organizations, and communities coming together to make a positive impact on the environment.

Looking ahead, CECOP remains committed in its mission to empower communities, protect the environment, and drive positive change. Through continued collaboration and advocacy, we are confident in our ability to nurture a more sustainable future for generations to come.