Kerala has joined President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Five Million Tree Programme by donating 1,200 mango and teak saplings to the Maldives, supporting efforts to enhance ecological sustainability and coastal resilience.
The contribution includes 600 grafted mango saplings and 600 teak saplings from Kerala.
The initiative was officially inaugurated by Kerala Forest Minister Shibu Baby John at a ceremony held at the Minister’s Chamber. Maldives Consul General Aminath Shifana received the tree saplings in the presence of Dr Pramod G. Krishnan, IFS, APCCF (Social Forestry).
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Shibu Baby John said Kerala was proud to contribute to the programme, describing the initiative as another step towards strengthening relations between India and the Maldives.
Consul General Aminath Shifana expressed appreciation for Kerala’s contribution and described the saplings as a “gift of love” from a state with which the Maldives shares close ties.
The contribution follows an assurance made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the Maldives on July 25 and 26, 2025, that India would provide tree saplings in support of President Muizzu’s Five Million Tree Programme.
The programme, initiated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, aims to plant five million trees across the Maldives as part of efforts to strengthen environmental sustainability, increase greenery and improve the country’s resilience to climate and environmental challenges.
The 600 grafted mango saplings were sourced from Vellayani Agricultural College in Thiruvananthapuram, while the 600 teak saplings were collected from the Kulathupuzha Central Nursery.
The saplings were prepared in special covers at the Poojappura District Permanent Nursery in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of their transfer to the Maldives.
Kerala’s participation marks another contribution from India towards President Muizzu’s flagship tree-planting initiative and reflects growing environmental cooperation between the Maldives and India.
