A tree-planting campaign was held dedicated to the birthday of the great leader Heydar Aliyev.

On May 10, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their family members participated in a tree-planting campaign dedicated to the birthday of the national leader Heydar Aliyev in the green area established along the Gala-Turkan highway.

The Head of State and the First Lady first familiarized themselves with stands reflecting the work carried out to further improve the ecological situation in Azerbaijan.

Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Huseyn Baghirov informed President Ilham Aliyev about the greenery planted in 2008-2017. It was reported that, in accordance with the instructions and recommendations of the Head of State, nearly 5.2 million trees were planted in the country during these years. The areas where these trees were planted were equipped with drip irrigation systems. Priority was given mainly to planting olive, almond, pomegranate, jujube, pistachio, walnut, and hazelnut trees. In the past period of this year alone, over 1 million agriculturally significant trees were planted in the country for the creation of agro-gardens.

President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their family members planted trees in the area.

On May 10, nearly 9,000 agriculturally significant and other types of trees were planted in the green area established along the Gala-Turkan highway.

The Head of State and the First Lady took commemorative photos with participants of the tree-planting campaign.

All this once again confirms that the tradition established by the national leader Heydar Aliyev regarding the protection of ecology in our country is being successfully continued today by President Ilham Aliyev. It is no coincidence that one of the priority directions of the national development strategy implemented in our country is to ensure environmental protection and the highest level of living in a healthy natural environment for people. A clear example of this was the declaration of 2010 as the “Year of Ecology” in the country by President Ilham Aliyev. The Head of State has paid special attention to improving the ecological situation of lands polluted by oil and other industrial waste, as well as areas under oil layers. Practical measures have been taken to improve the provision of ecologically clean water to the population, millions of trees have been planted in the country, and new parks and boulevards have been created. As a result of the work carried out in areas once polluted with oil waste, such as the current “White City” and other areas, oil residues have been cleaned. These areas have been transformed into modern residential and cultural complexes of the capital, and, as President Ilham Aliyev noted, into modern ecological projects. All this serves to protect the environment and, in particular, to ensure that citizens live in a healthy environment. The measures taken to improve the ecological situation, as well as the decisive stance of the Head of State against illegal tree cutting, are guided by a single purpose: the protection of human health.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation, led by First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, also pays special attention to increasing greenery in the country and preserving existing green areas. The projects implemented with the initiative and support of the Foundation’s Vice President, founder and head of the IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva, also play an important role in this regard.

It should be noted that ecological projects carried out at different times have covered all regions of Azerbaijan. Today, the active participation of citizens in tree-planting campaigns, greenery establishment, and cleaning works in our cities and districts is a clear indicator of this. According to experts, the work being carried out today in Azerbaijan to protect ecology and ensure public health can serve as an example for many countries.