Tunisia secures $2.48 million to preserve Aleppo pine forests in Kasserine

Tunisia is launching a significant initiative to restore degraded Aleppo pine ecosystems in the Kasserine governorate, a region facing environmental challenges. The General Directorate of Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have formalized a partnership through an agreement signed at the Ministry of Agriculture.

This collaboration is backed by a substantial grant of $2.48 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project, effective immediately upon signing, is designed to bolster the resilience of these vital pine forests against the impacts of climate change. It emphasizes an integrated and participatory approach to managing Kasserine's forest resources.

The initiative's objectives extend beyond ecological restoration. It aims to safeguard biodiversity, boost the productivity of forest ecosystems, and actively combat land degradation. Furthermore, the project is expected to contribute to enhanced food security and promote the sustainable management of natural resources within the governorate.

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Director General of Forests, and the FAO representative in Tunisia were present for the signing, underscoring the importance of this cross-sectoral effort. The project represents a concerted push to protect and revitalize a critical natural asset in Tunisia.