Green Dam planting reaches 42,376 hectares, DGF says

The General Directorate of Forests (DGF) said planting under the Green Dam programme reached 42,376 hectares over the 2023-2026 programmes.

Algérie Presse Service (APS) gave the figures, which it obtained from the DGF.

The Green Dam stretches across 4.7 million hectares in 13 steppe wilayas, over more than 1,500km and about 20km wide on average.

The programme was launched on 29 October 2023 in Djelfa wilaya by the President of the Republic, with 75bn dinars (DZD) in funding. Its aim is to fight desertification and restore ecosystems.

For the 2026-2027 season, the DGF plans to plant 47,917 hectares, including 34,318 hectares for the Green Dam. The plan covers 38.8 million seedlings, of which 27.45 million are for the Green Dam.

Public firms, including the Rural Engineering Group (GGR), and private operators will carry out the work.

The operations aim to restore ecosystems, rebuild plant cover and protect biodiversity, especially in areas hit by fires and other forms of land degradation.

During the 2023-2026 period, the sector also contributed to fruit tree growing, including 1.4 million olive trees and 1.1 million carob trees.

The DGF identified 141 recreational forests in 31 wilayas, of which 77 have been allocated, covering a total of 1,374 hectares.

The sector also set up 363 usage permit areas covering 14,814 hectares, benefiting 3,710 people, including 223 women. The area actually developed reached 9,083 hectares.

The DGF said it will mark National Tree Day and launch the 2026-2027 planting campaign with planting in schools and public awareness activities. The campaign also gives attention to forests hit by fires in past years.