Issuing a circular on the occasion of “November 11 Tree Planting Campaign”, Erdoğan said Turkey enjoyed a rich ecological diversity on its territory of 78 million hectares.
The circular stated that a simultaneous tree planting event would be organized on November 11 at 11:11 a.m. as part of the tree planting and erosion control activities to be coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Erdoğan said information on the said event were available on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and said: "We have every belief that all our citizens, young and old alike, will give their support for this event aimed at planting 11 million saplings in 81 provinces and at 2023 sites in 3 hours.”
November 11 to be celebrated as "National Tree Planting Day"
President Erdoğan declared November 11 as "National Tree Planting Day" and noted the following in the circular:
"It is agreed to celebrate November 11 as “National Tree Planting Day” with the support of our people in order to protect our forests that have great importance in economic, ecological and social terms, to manage them sustainably and to make our lands healthier and more livable for future generations.”
President Erdoğan keeps his promise
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously showed his support for Twitter user Enes Şahin when he proposed the designation of a tree planting holiday for everyone to plant trees. “I have an idea. Let’s dedicate a day every year to tree planting and plant 82 million trees altogether. Let’s set an example to the world and hand down a green country to the upcoming generations.” Şahin said in his tweet.
"This is a great idea, Enes. We've always worked for a greener Turkey and continue to do so. My friends and I will undertake all responsibility to make sure that we have a national tree planting day," the President responded.