Asmara — In an interview he conducted with the Eritrean news agency, the Coordinator of Communal Forestation at the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Mr. Fikreyesus Gilay said that the ministry is executing various forestation projects to combat the expansion of desert areas. Recalling that 30% of Eritrean land was covered in thick forest, Mr. Fikreyesus said that the destruction of the forest areas and trees is having a negative effect on the general climate.

He further explained that as a result of the efforts exerted by the MOA in the past 18 years, over 86 million tree seedlings have been planted over an area of 30,000 hectares. Pointing out that a committee has been established to evaluate the forestation campaign conducted through the Students' Summer Program, Mr. Fikreyesus stated that more than 5.4 million tree seedlings have been made ready for this year's Summer Program.

In this year's Summer Program students are expected to participate in development and forestation activities such as planting trees, building and repairing roads as well as helping martyrs' families.