A National Tree Planting ceremony was held on Tuesday, June 5 at the Nuku'alofa waterfront marking two important events, Tonga's 150 years of Emancipation and the launching of the Environment Awareness Week.

Four trees were planted on the waterfront, by Rev Dr 'Ahio the President of the Free Wesleyan Church, the Director of Education 'Emeli Pouvalu, 'Asipeli Palaki CEO for the Ministry of Lands, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources and Ponapate Taunisila, the Deputy Director for Schools.

The event was a joint effort between the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Education, and Churches. It was marked as a national event because schools throughout Tongatapu were planting trees at their school compounds yesterday.

Rev 'Ahio said the tree planting was an important occasion to mark the environment week and also to commemorate Tonga's 150 years of Emancipation on June 4. He was grateful that the Ministry of Education and Environment came together to organize the event.

Trees

Siua Latu, an Environment Officer said that during the Environment Week from June 3-8 schools throughout Tongatapu planted trees, including heilala trees and other Tongan flowering shrubs and trees, from seedlings that were distributed by the Ministry of Environment.

He said activities would be held this week to raise public awareness on the importance of a clean and green environment. The program started with a church service on Sunday, June 3 and included school visits by environment officials, picking up rubbish along the Nuku'alofa waterfront and an Open Day on Friday, June 8.

The Ministry of Education in marking the 150 years of Tonga's Emancipation this week is hosting a number of documentary programs on television. A national prayer service joined by all churches in Tonga was held on Sunday night, June 3, at the Centenary Church, Saione.