Tajikistan plans to plant 65 million trees and shrubs along roadsides on a total area exceeding 4,000 hectares by the end of 2025, says the Ministry of Transport (MoT) press center.

“This initiative is being implemented as part of the National Program 'Green Country' for 2023-2027, with a total budget of about 130 million somonis (over US$11.8 million),” reads the statement.

The main goal of the program is to reduce the negative impact of human activities on the environment.  The project will be carried out in two phases: the first from 2023 to 2025, and the second from 2026 to 2027.

During the first phase, various trees such as fruit trees, rosehip, sea buckthorn, pine, poplar, white acacia, paulownia, thuja, and saxaul will be planted.  For each type of tree, 200 to 275 hectares will be allocated. Rosehip and sea buckthorn will serve not only as decorative plants but also have economic uses.

The program reportedly also includes the cultivation of high-quality varieties of walnut, pistachio, plum, and almond using modern breeding methods.

Additionally, the government on June 28 this year adopted the State Greening Program until 2040, which is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, restoring air quality, and adapting to climate change.

President Emomali Rahmon has tasked ministries and local authorities with taking active measures to effectively implement the program.