As part of Zhashyl Muras campaign, Kyrgyzstan plans to plant more than 8.5 million saplings in 2025. Kumar Mambetaliev, head of the Bioresources Management Department at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, said on the air of Birinchi Radio.
He noted that local headquarters have already been set up, and recommendations will be given on suitable coniferous and deciduous tree species, as well as the optimal planting times.
The first coniferous trees have already been planted along Bishkek—Naryn—Torugart highway.
The national Zhashyl Muras campaign was launched in 2022, and over 20 million saplings have been planted across the country since then.
«Unfortunately, there are gaps —saplings didn’t take root in some areas. This depends on many factors, especially with climate change making it difficult to predict which saplings will thrive where. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Natural Resources has coordinated a number of issues with the Academy of Sciences. Selecting the right saplings is crucial. We recommend choosing saplings grown in the same regions where the greening efforts are taking place,» Mambetaliev said.
He also emphasized the need to create large forest areas instead of just planting trees along roadsides.
«We’re urging local authorities to designate at least one plot of land no smaller than 5 hectares in each district to grow into a forest. Poor survival rates happen because planting is often disorganized, and livestock are practically the first enemy of newly planted saplings. That’s why we’re raising the issue of installing protective fences, ensuring irrigation, and organizing ongoing care,» the official added.
Previously, MP Dastan Bekeshev had stated that most saplings planted under Zhashyl Muras program dry out due to lack of watering. However, he noted that government agencies’ reports present a more positive picture of the efforts. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, sapling survival rates in previous years varied across regions, from 54.43 percent in Batken region to 80 percent in Osh region.
