Sri Lanka launches ‘One Million Tree Stories’ project with Miss World

Sri Lanka yesterday launched the ‘One Million Tree Stories’ project at the Sports Ministry Auditorium in Colombo.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of Minister of Tourism and Sports, Navin Dissanayake with the participation of Miss World Rolene Strauss and Rotary International Vice Chairperson Cruz De Giay.
Sri Lanka Tourism, in partnership with Rotary Sri Lanka and Hatton National Bank, is sponsoring this project, with the objective of planting one million trees in Sri Lanka within this year and having a greener environment for future generations by inspiring, engaging and supporting people to take personal responsibility for the environment, making it safe, healthy and sustainable and to share the process as a model for the country.
Research finds that every human being is emotionally attached to a tree at some point in their lives, hence the theme ‘One Million Tree Stories’ was coined.
The Forest Department of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has revealed that Sri Lanka’s forest coverage has reduced from 53% to 29% as at 2012.

Therefore, with the objective of ensuring the children of this country have a tourism industry that they could be proud of, key stakeholders decided to unite as an industry to launch ‘One million Tree Stories’ with Strauss.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister Navin Dissanayake said that tourists who visit Sri Lanka prior to their departure could pay $ 1 (Rs.100) and contribute to the tree planting project.
All trees will be geotagged so that one can see the trees being planted and their growth over the years. The cost of sponsoring a tree is $ 1 (Rs. 100). This includes the cost of the plant and general maintenance for two years.
With the end of the war in 2009, Sri Lanka has now become one of the best tourist destinations in the world and several projects have been implemented to attract two million tourists by the end of this year, the Minister added. He noted with appreciation that the ‘One Million Tree Stories’ project is a fine creation to protect the environment.
Strauss said she was happy to participate in the event and promised to do her best to carry the concept to the world.
During the event, the ‘One Million Tree Stories’ project website (www.rotarytree.com) was launched by the Minister and Miss World.