By Tupou Vaipulu Jr

A tree planting ceremony at the Fale Alea compound in Nuku'alofa on 7 March was initiated by the Speaker of the House, Lord Fakafānua and the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy, Mr Ruan Dewen.

The planting supports the government’s goal of planting one million trees, in its Second Nationally Determined Contribution towards the Paris Agreement.

Tonga’s native plants, the Heilala, Maile, Pipi-Tui, Siale, Ahi, Lemani and Kola were listed for planting in the compound.

The initiative was funded by the Chinese Government through China Aid, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture and MEIDECC.

“We are doing something small but meaningful, to build a greener and more resilient place not only for Tonga’s future generation, but also to protect our home planet,” said HE Mr Ruan Dewen.

The Lord Speaker thanked the Chinese Embassy, Members of Parliament, ministry partners and other stakeholders in the event.

Nursery Grant

A total of $151,893.62 pa'anga was granted by the Chinese Government to the Legislative Assembly’s Tree Planting Initiative.

Tree and Plant Nurseries in Tonga were encouraged by the Standing Committee on Environment and Climate Change to apply for grant money of up to $10,000 pa’anga.

A spokesperson from the Standing Committee told Matangi Tonga that nurseries can email falealea [at] parliament [dot] gov [dot] to for the application form.