As part of its ‘Green Heritage’ campaign, Kyrgyzstan has now pledged to plant six million saplings per year. Since its launch in 2023, the national campaign has already planted over eight million new trees.
The announcement was made by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Asein Isaev, at the 19th session of the Forum on Forests on “Forest-based solutions to the triple planetary crises: A focus on people, science, technology, and finance,” at the UN headquarters on May 9.
Between 2021-2023, Kyrgyzstan lost 2.56 kha of tree cover as a result of uncontrolled pasture causing overgrazing and desertification, logging for firewood, and widespread, illegal deforestation.
In addition to highlighting the vulnerability of Kyrgyzstan’s mountain forests, First Deputy Minister Isaev emphasized the urgent need to preserve the ancient walnut forests of Arslanbob. Covering over 600,000 of hectares, these unique forests in southern Kyrgyzstan are the largest in the world.
The initiative is integral to consolidated efforts to preserve mountain and forest ecosystems and their biodiversity, and represents Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to the implementation of both the UN Strategic Plan for Forests for 2017-2030 and the Five-Year Action Plan for the Development of Mountain Regions for 2023-2027.
