Delić: We are donating half a million saplings to our homeland, just like children, it is our common future

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Ministry of Economy of Sarajevo Canton has launched a massive afforestation campaign in the wider area of Sarajevo Canton, planned in two phases. The first, autumn phase, will last from November 1 to November 25, 2021, and the goal is to plant up to 350,000 saplings on an area of 100 hectares of non-urban space during this period.

It is planned that this phase of the campaign will be carried out by about 8,000 participants, of which 3,850 are third-grade secondary school students and final-year university students from the area of Sarajevo Canton, while primary school students will be included in the spring phase.

As pointed out at today's press conference by the director of the public company "Sarajevo-šume", Samir Omerović, this campaign is an opportunity for all citizens of the Canton to participate in a project that is significant not only for our canton and country but for the entire planet, given that forests, along with water, are one of the main natural resources.

"We are fortunate in Sarajevo Canton to have rich natural forests that guarantee their survival in the future, and this afforestation is a kind of artificial support and it is extremely important for strengthening forest capacities, and it is also significant for all of us, as a community, for the years to come," emphasized, among other things, Director Omerović.

The Minister of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, Adnan Delić, reminded journalists of the reasons why this ministry initiated this afforestation campaign, the largest in scale in the last 30 years.

"One of the reasons for launching this campaign is the restoration of the forest ecosystem, because forests are habitats for many plant and animal species, so by afforesting we aim to restore and enrich the entire forest ecosystem, which is also a contribution to solving problems arising from global climate change. In Sarajevo, we have a pronounced problem of air pollution, especially during autumn and winter, and trees, which have the ability to absorb carbon particles, will certainly improve air quality in our canton in the foreseeable future," emphasized Minister Delić.

He added that Sarajevo is known for its long tradition in the wood processing industry, and that this afforestation is also long-term planning and renewal of the resource that is the basic raw material for this strategically important industry in Sarajevo Canton.

In addition to the above, this campaign is also highlighted by its educational character, the purpose of which is to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy living environment.

As stated, "Sarajevo-šume" will pay special attention to this segment by conducting appropriate education for secondary school students in cooperation with the relevant ministry.

Nijaz Skenderagić, President of the Assembly of the Association of Employers of Sarajevo Canton, also addressed the present journalists with appropriate words, and he did not hide his satisfaction with the quick reaction of Minister Delić to the initiative that this association sent to the Ministry of Economy and the company "Sarajevo-šume".

"I must say that we have come forward with this initiative in previous years as well, but for the first time it has been accepted and in record time, less than a month, the implementation of the initiative for mass afforestation of Sarajevo Canton has begun. I am happy and grateful to the relevant minister, because our idea was for all of us, citizens, from different political, social, non-governmental and business organizations, to gather in one project for the benefit of our children and the community," emphasized Skenderagić.

He added that the key days of the campaign were chosen, according to the Association's recommendation, as November 25, March 1, and May 9, each of which is significant for our homeland, as days that symbolize the victory of freedom over everything that threatened that freedom throughout the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Minister Delić emphasized at the end that the completion of the autumn campaign is planned as a gift to the homeland for Statehood Day, with the aim of strengthening awareness of our statehood and nation-building, and the importance of marking it.

He stated that in this way we want to show that all resources can be used to promote sentiment and belonging to the nation, especially among younger generations who, like these young saplings, are the wealth and future of our homeland.

It was also pointed out that this campaign was supported by the Government of Sarajevo Canton, which approved its launch and implementation through its decisions, as well as the appointment of the Organizing Committee consisting of representatives of relevant ministries, public companies, the Association of Employers of Sarajevo Canton, and the Association of Engineers and Technicians of Forestry of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

An invitation was also extended to the media to actively promote and support this campaign, which means life, and for all of us together to promote the positive values of afforestation so that as many citizens as possible get involved in this campaign.

The visual identity of the campaign is a symbolic connection between the Canton and nature, and we hope it will contribute to spreading this positive story.