Maseru
Lesotho has started a new nationwide campaign to fix its damaged environment and give communities more ways to earn a living.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry officially launched the Green Recovery Initiative on Thursday in Maseru. The programme will run for the full 2026/27 financial year and is being described as one of the country’s biggest efforts yet to fight land degradation, grow more trees, and improve life in both rural and urban areas.
This is said to be more than just planting trees, Minister of Environment and Forestry, Thabo Mofosi, said the project is also about the future of Basotho.
“The Green Recovery Initiative is not only about planting trees; it is about building a sustainable future for present and future generations,” Mofosi told the crowd at the launch.
According to the Ministry, the plan has four main goals: cut down soil erosion, increase the number of trees across the country, help households earn more money, and play a part in slowing down climate change.
Officials say the work will be practical and hands-on. The key activities include:
- Large-scale tree planting across villages, towns, and open land
- Protecting forests and grasslands that are already there, so they are not lost to cutting or overgrazing
- Building green boundary walls using trees and shrubs instead of only stone or wire
- Teaching better land care so farmers and communities can use soil and water wisely
- Getting communities involved so local people own and look after the projects
Director of Forestry, Mokete Bereng, said new forest laws and clear guidelines will back up the work to make sure it lasts.
“We will no longer simply plant trees; we will raise trees,” Bereng said. “That means we will watch them, care for them, and make sure they survive.”
The Ministry says the initiative is also an economic plan. By focusing on fruit trees and forestry work, the programme is expected to create jobs and increase fruit production. That could mean more food at home and more products to sell in local markets.
Bereng noted that many Basotho villages face serious problems right now, including soil erosion, loss of forests, and the effects of climate change. These issues are hurting farmland and the families who depend on firewood and farming to survive.
To make sure the trees do not die after planting, the Department of Forestry will monitor new sites closely and support communities with the care and knowledge they need.
The first phase will begin in Leribe District and teams plan to plant 850 fruit trees at Matlameng in Ha Mahlehle to kick off the project. After that, the initiative will be rolled out to other districts across Lesotho.
The Ministry urges every Mosotho to be part of the campaign. Officials say the success of the Green Recovery Initiative depends on people planting trees, protecting young plants from animals and fire, and keeping them safe until they are fully grown.
“Plant a tree, protect a tree, and preserve a tree,” the Ministry urged. “Together we can secure a greener and more sustainable future for our children and grandchildren.”
