On July 29, 2019, Ethiopia announced it had planted 350 million trees in 12 hours as part of its 'Green Legacy' initiative, surpassing the previous world record set by India. The effort involved students, public servants, and religious communities across the country, aiming to combat desertification and climate change.
The Ethiopian government, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, mobilized millions of citizens to plant seedlings at designated sites. The initiative was supported by the United Nations Environment Programme and other international organizations, which provided technical assistance and funding.
Ethiopia's goal is to plant 4 billion trees by the end of 2020, as part of a broader plan to restore 15 million hectares of degraded land by 2025. The country has been severely affected by deforestation, with forest cover declining from 35% in the early 20th century to about 4% today.
The record-breaking event was verified by the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and the UN, though some experts questioned the survival rate of the seedlings. The government has since implemented monitoring systems to track tree growth and survival.
