The government of Tunisia through the Ministry of Agriculture and Abdelwahab Ben Ayed Foundation (French: FABA) have launched a tree-planting campaign to preserve the forest and grazing resources.
The campaign which was initiated under a public-private partnership initiative aims to strengthen the vegetation cover of Sebkha Séjoumi, labelled a wetland of international importance and listed under the Ramsar Convention since November 7, 2007.
Climate change
The initiative will cover 10 hectares in Sebkha Séjoumi. The area is marked by a unique biological diversity; its afforestation will enhance its vegetation cover and eliminate uncontrolled waste that has a negative impact on the ecological system. The Sebkha plays an important role in preserving the region’s ecosystems and reducing the risk of flooding.
Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries Mahmoud Elyes Hamza, who attended the launch of the campaign, said the ministry launches each year a national tree planting campaign that lasts three years. “This participatory campaign, which is open to civil society, aims to combat climate change.”
For his part, Minister of State Property and Land Affairs Mohamed Rekik highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in promoting a sustainable environment. Forests and scrubland now cover more than 1.3 million hectares (over 3 million acres), or around 8.5 percent of the country, up from 7.4 percent in 2011, according to the directorate general for forests. However, forest fires, both deliberate and accidental, eat away at hundreds of hectares each year. Farmers are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of climate change.
