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 As of 17 July 2008, 3.75 billion tree-planting pledges and 2.25 billion planted trees were registered on the UNEP database. Citizens in 165 countries are participating in the UNEP-led global tree-planting efforts. World Environment Day 2008 provided renewed impetus for the Campaign. The Deegaan Network of NGOs in Somalia planted 1,900 trees on this occasion. The Governor of the Province of San Luis in Argentina launched a reforestation programme pledging 15 million trees over four years. President Calderón of Mexico announced a pledge of 280 million trees to be planted in 2008, and over 9 million trees were planted on 5 July 2008 in Mexico during the national tree-planting day. Trees for Life in Scotland announced a 250,000 tree pledge. The Leela Palace Hotels and Resorts chain of India led by Capt. Nair, a UNEP Global 500 laureate, pledged 80,000 seedlings.
A young Indian cyclist started a biking expedition from the South of India to Kashmir, with the intention to plant one tree for every calorie expanded and raise awareness of the campaign. Ethiopia used the opportunity to launch the second phase of its tree planting campaign while the Cuban Government confirmed fulfilling their pledge to plant 136 million trees. In the United States, the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative's pledge now stands at 38 million, with 12 million trees planted in 2007. The Dandakaranya Movement in India planted 25 million trees in early July as part of their annual tree planting programme. The International Motorcycling Federation, for its part, has been planting trees in Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and in Germany.
The Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign won a UN 21 Award as a substantive programme in recognition of its “exceptional contribution towards improving efficiency in the United Nations”. |
