DAR ES SALAAM, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Zanzibar authorities on Sunday launched a massive tree planting campaign aimed at making the Indian Ocean islands green in the wake of impacts caused by climate change.
Othman Masoud Othman, Zanzibar's First Vice-President, launched the campaign as part of celebrations to mark the World Environment Day on June 5, the United Nations' flagship day for promoting worldwide awareness and action for the environment.
Massive planting of trees will not only help to control deforestation but it will also contribute toward controlling the impacts of climate change which is affecting social and economic development on the islands, he said.
"Trees are also important source of medicines," said Othman when he launched the campaign at Mwera school on Unguja Island.
He urged members of the public and the private sector to support the government in its mission of re-greening Zanzibar's twin Islands of Unguja and Pemba. ■