ZANZIBAR: ENVIRONMENTAL stakeholders have praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for dedicating her birthday to tree planting, saying the move underscores her strong commitment to climate action, reduction of carbon emissions and mitigation of the effects of climate change.
President Samia turns 66 today and, in a practical demonstration of environmental conservation and climate mitigation, she is scheduled to lead a special tree-planting exercise at Bungi Kilimo and Kizimkazi areas in Zanzibar to mark the occasion.
More than 2,000 people are expected to join the President in the exercise, which forms part of broader national efforts to promote environmental conservation and climate resilience.
Speaking in Zanzibar Town, Executive Director of Mwanamke Initiatives Foundation (MIF), Ms Sabra Ali Mohammed, said President Samia will lead the activity, which is part of a wider youthfocused campaign linking environmental protection, public health and civic responsibility.
She said January 27 has been designated ‘Green Day’, dedicated to celebrating President Samia’s birthday through environmental action under the theme: “Patriotism Means Protecting the Environment — Join Tree Planting.”
Speaking to the ‘Daily News’ yesterday, Chief Executive Officer of Synergistic Globe and award-winning environmental journalist, Mr Vitus Medard, said President Samia’s birthday celebrations highlight the importance of embracing climate restoration and global climate action.
“This is a commendable initiative towards conserving the environment and enhancing climate restoration in our country, especially at a time when climate action has become a global priority due to the devastating impacts of climate change,” Mr Medard said.
He added that the initiative represents a major step forward in climate restoration led by the country’s top climate champion, urging Tanzanians to emulate the President by planting and protecting trees.
Synergistic Globe, a Mwanza-based organisation, has been working with communities on tree planting, pollution control and conservation of Lake Victoria.
Mr Medard noted that Tanzania, like many other countries, continues to experience the effects of climate change, including floods, heatwaves, changing weather patterns and unreliable rainfall.
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He said that in the runup to January 27, environmental stakeholders, including Synergistic Globe, have been planting trees in support of the President’s iconic afforestation campaign, thereby contributing to climate mitigation efforts.
Mr Medard also commended the Sixth Phase Government for directing district councils across the country to plant about 1.5 million trees annually.
He added that President Samia’s climate action agenda goes beyond tree planting to championing clean cooking energy and advocating for universal access to electricity.
President Samia’s environmental leadership gained international recognition in 2025 when the World Bank selected Tanzania to host the Africa Energy Summit in January 2025, aimed at accelerating electricity access for 300 million people by 2030 who currently live without power.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of Human Dignity and Environmental Care Foundation (HUDEFO), Ms Sarah Pima, said marking the President’s birthday through tree planting under the slogan “Patriotism is Environmental Conservation: Participate in Tree Planting” positions climate action as a core element of national patriotism.
Ms Pima said HUDEFO has integrated the President’s initiative into its routine activities by planting trees and raising environmental awareness.
“I commend the President for this transformative initiative, and as stakeholders we will continue to complement these efforts by planting trees and providing education on environmental conservation and protection,” she said.
She stressed that trees are critical for producing clean air, preserving water sources, preventing desertification and reducing extreme temperatures in various parts of the country, including Dar es Salaam.
Optimal temperatures, she noted, create a conducive environment for productivity and economic activity. Economist and investment banker Dr Hildebrand Shayo said the tree-planting initiative spearheaded by President Samia has farreaching economic benefits through environmental conservation and resiliencebuilding.
“By reforesting degraded areas, tree planting safeguards water catchments, which support agriculture, hydropower and urban water supply—sectors vital to national productivity and export earnings,” Dr Shayo said.
He added that increased forest cover mitigates soil erosion and climate-related losses, stabilises crop yields and rural incomes, and reduces government expenditure on disaster response.
“At the same time, it promotes green jobs in nurseries, forestry, ecotourism and carbon markets, positioning Tanzania to benefit from climate finance and nature-based investments,” he said.
President Samia’s administration has placed environmental protection at the centre of its policy agenda.
In early 2025, the government introduced landmark amendments to the Environmental Management Act (EMA), Chapter 191, to strengthen climate change governance and mandate the establishment of environmental units in every ministry.
Beyond national efforts, President Samia also championed continental initiatives.
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai in November 2024, she spearheaded the launch of the African Women Clean Cooking Support Programme (AWCCSP), aimed at expanding access to clean cooking technologies for women and girls across Africa.
The programme seeks to reduce Africa’s heavy dependence on firewood, charcoal and other traditional biomass fuels, which remain the primary cooking energy source for nearly 80 per cent of the population and are linked to indoor air pollution and ongoing deforestation.
Environmental conservation is central to the 2030 Agenda, primarily driven by SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 6 (Clean Water).
These goals focus on protecting ecosystems, restoring biodiversity, managing forests, and combating pollution to ensure sustainable resource use.
The SDG 15 aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and stop biodiversity loss.
Key targets include reducing natural habitat degradation, preventing the extinction of threatened species and combating poaching
