Focus on green urban planning, Samia tells surveying authorities

Unguja. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on land surveying and urban planning authorities to ensure that new developments allocate space for tree planting as part of housing and land-use plans.

She also urged public and private institutions to plant at least one tree on their premises and ensure it is properly cared for until maturity, as a measure to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The president made yesterday during her 66th birthday celebrations, which included a ceremonial tree planting and cake-cutting.

“I urge land and urban planning authorities across the country to ensure that new plots include green spaces and provisions for tree planting in housing and land-use schemes,” she said.

President Hassan stressed that climate change is no longer a theoretical issue but a reality affecting daily life. She cited unpredictable rainfall, droughts, floods, rising temperatures and sea-level rise as challenges faced globally, and noted that

Tanzania is not exempt. In the country, climate change affects citizens’ lives directly, including access to safe water and food production.

She highlighted tree planting as a vital solution, emphasising that trees planted today will benefit future generations. Regional and district leaders in affected areas were urged to actively oversee tree-planting initiatives rather than wait for symbolic events.

“Planting trees is part of our duty to safeguard and preserve the environment for future generations. We inherited rich forests, fertile lands and productive fruit trees; it is our responsibility to conserve and expand them,” she said.

President Hassan linked tree planting to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 13 on climate action, SDG 15 on life on land, SDG 2 on ending hunger, SDG 3 on health and wellbeing, SDG 6 on clean water, and SDG 1 on poverty reduction.

She noted Tanzania’s commitment to global climate efforts, including the Paris Agreement, which calls for coordinated measures to reduce carbon emissions. She also cited districts benefiting economically from forestry activities, such as timber production and other forest-based projects.

Highlighting the impact of mass tree planting, the president said if 30 million Tanzanians each planted one tree annually, the country would achieve substantial reforestation in a few years.  She called on all citizens to participate actively, emphasising environmental stewardship and patriotism.

President Hassan encouraged parents to involve children in tree planting.

stressing that early engagement fosters environmental awareness and the protection of natural resources for future generations.

The president praised ongoing government efforts, led by the Vice-President’s Office for Union Affairs and Environment, to promote sustainable forestry, green spaces and carbon-trading initiatives, which are expected to generate significant revenue and support Tanzania’s Vision 2050.