Macedonians plant 5 million trees in one-day reforestation campaign

A total of 5 million trees were planted across Macedonia on Saturday in a one-day reforestation campaign to revive forests destroyed by wildfires in the past two summers.

Thousands of people from all walks of life across the tiny western Balkan country took part in the mass reforestation activity under the banner of “Tree Day — Plant Your Future.” 

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski planted trees in Trnovec near Kratovo, about 90 kilometers east of capital Skopje.

“This is an investment in the nature, ecology, and, overall, inthe future. I am really happy to be part of the team that has been turning the campaign into reality,” said Gruevski.

This is the third time that Macedonia has run a tree-planting campaign in about a year’s time. On March 12, 2008, Macedonia planted 3 million trees, followed by 6 million planted on Nov. 19.

At least 35,000 hectares of forests are estimated to have been burned in the past two summers by wildfires, causing damage of up to 30 million euros (about 37.8 million U.S. dollars).

Organizers hope that other countries in the Balkans will follow the example of Macedonia, and organize similar reforestation campaign in the future.