On the occasion of World Arbor Day celebrated on the 15th of January, Nature Trust (Malta) has said that it would like to ask about the outcome of the Afforestation Report commissioned by the Ministry for Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate change months ago.

Trees play an important role even for our plant for issues such as climate change, improved air quality and a healthy lifestyle.

The NGO said that it is therefore being proactive on the afforestation and reforestation fronts on an ongoing basis reflecting the ongoing global campaigns to plant trees for a more sustainable future.

"This is achieved also through participation in international campaigns such as the Plant A Tree for Peace by LEAF International and ENO Environmental Online which targets the plating of 100 million trees by 2017 in about 120 countries, among which Malta is active through the affiliation of Nature Trust (Malta) in these initiatives."

It said that local initiatives by NTM to plant trees are ongoing with the most recent being the European Garden Tree Planting held on the 10th of November last year, in partnership with Europe Direct Central Region and Europe Direct Valletta, together with the European Commission followed by the planting 53 trees as part of the CHOGM events organised by NTM in partnership with the Foundation for wellbeing.

NTM said that following the record of 3600 students visiting Xrobb l-Ghagin Park and Sustainable Development Centre during scholastic year 2014-2015 and 2000 students for scholastic year 2013-2015, the first term of the current scholastic year hosted 650 students some of whom were involved in tree planting sessions as will continue to be done in the coming months.

"For the occasion of Arbor Day, a thematic event "Trees on the Increase?!" is organised every year within the Xrobb l-Ghagin Education for Sustainable Development Programme. The students participate in seed sowing activities spread over one week, this year happening 1st to 5th February. Children sow hundreds of seeds of indigenous trees and participate in other activities among which they experience the Aleppo Pine Forest Area which hosts the tallest trees in the Park to date."

NTM added that the Pine Forest along with the rest of the afforested land within the Park is the result of the latest massive afforestation project by Nature Trust (Malta), the restoration of which was officially accomplished between 2007 and 2010 so that the Park could open its gate to the public in April 2011.

Finally NTM said that it "appeals to the national authorities to put the environment on a higher agenda in the Maltese islands and implement afforestation project where possible as part of a sustainable lifestyle for all who live and visit our islands."

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