Green Marathon 2022 – Khodjasan Settlement

Under the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, the next tree-planting campaign across the country within the framework of the “Nationwide Greening Marathon” (“Green Marathon”) was held on April 9 in the Khodjasen settlement.

This large-scale tree-planting campaign, organized jointly by the IDEA Public Union and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, was joined this time with great enthusiasm by employees of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and BP’s regional office for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.

During the event, more than 2,000 Eldar pine and olive trees were planted across an area of 3 hectares, suited to the soil and climatic conditions of the Absheron Peninsula.

The campaign, carried out jointly by the IDEA Public Union and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, envisages holding mass tree-planting events in various regions of the country during the spring and autumn planting seasons, with the aim of increasing green spaces.

It should be noted that this year, within the framework of the “Green Marathon,” the creation of green corridors in Azerbaijan, particularly on the Absheron Peninsula, is planned. Trees will be planted in areas with complex relief and steep slopes; terraces will be prepared on the slopes, tree surroundings will be shaped into natural water-retaining forms, and rainwater will be directed to irrigate the trees. This will prevent soil erosion, improve soil air and water permeability and fertility, resulting in a higher survival rate of the trees, and will also save irrigation water in these areas.

In addition, the campaign provides for planting forest tree species, sowing seeds, and implementing forest restoration measures across 1,000 hectares of the country’s open forest fund lands during the spring and autumn planting seasons.

The main goal of the project is to prevent potential threats arising from the reduction of green areas, to promote tree planting, contribute to environmental protection, enhance the country’s floral biodiversity, and raise public awareness about preserving greenery.

Mass tree-planting efforts also support global initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

The IDEA Public Union, intending to continue efforts to protect and expand greenery in the country, calls on the public, together with its partners, to actively participate in protecting our planet and in environmental initiatives.