Reforestation campaign carried out in fire-affected areas in Ballouran town in Lattakia

A reforestation campaign was carried out on Friday in Ballouran town in the northern countryside of Lattakia by 40 volunteers representing “Dou’ Souria” (Syria’s Light) team in cooperation with the Directorate of Agriculture and Agrarian reform in the province.

Leader of the voluntary team Aktham Ismael told SANA that the campaign aims at recovering the vegetation cover following the fires that hit the province during the past years and affected wide areas including the mountains and the forests. He added that the event also aims at encouraging the youths to take part in rebuilding their homeland and at consolidating their ability to revive hope despite all difficulties.

 He hailed the facilitations provided by the agriculture directorate in Lattakia in terms of providing the seedlings and the equipment necessary for this process.

On his part, Samer Abdo, assistant head of the Directorate’s Forestation Department, said that the forestation plan for the years 2021-2022 covers an area of 800 hectares all over the province. It targets the burnt and degraded sites.

Abdo clarified that the targeted areas are due to be planted with pine trees as it tolerates unstable climate conditions and grows fast and it has an economic feasibility and environmental benefits.

Hamda Mustafa