In brief
Tunisia announced a 10‑year action plan to reforest 30,000 hectares of lost forest land, following extensive fire damage between 2011 and 2025. The strategy prioritizes cork oak and Aleppo pine, deploys digital monitoring and water‑storage infrastructure, and involves private‑sector and civil‑society partners. Over 2026‑27, the country plans to plant 10 million seedlings across ten nurseries, while aligning with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
On November 3, Tunisia announced a 10‑year action plan that will reforest 30,000 hectares of forest, according to a report by the Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) quoted in Xinhua. The plan follows a period of heavy losses between 2011 and 2025, when fires destroyed 74,602 hectares of forest and cost the nation about 241 million Tunisian dinars (roughly 80 million U.S. dollars). The new strategy, set to run from 2026 to 2035, seeks to not only restore tree cover but also to boost the climate resilience of its ecosystems.
The reforestation programme will focus on two native species – *cork oak* (*Quercus suber*) and *Aleppo pine* (*Pinus halepensis*) – that are well adapted to the Sahelian steppe and the Mediterranean climate of the north. In addition to planting these species, the strategy calls for large‑scale seedlings production, the rehabilitation of ten existing forest nurseries, and the creation of automated watchtowers and water reservoirs in elevated areas. Digital platforms will be introduced for early fire detection and rapid response, a move that taps into the increasing role of technology in forest management.
Participation will be a cornerstone of the plan. The government will mobilise water resources, strengthen climate‑finance links, and foster stronger partnerships with the private sector and civil‑society groups to ensure that interventions are sustainable. In the first two years, 2026‑27, authorities aim to cover 24,000 hectares of restoration work: 15,260 hectares will be allowed to regenerate naturally and 8,716 hectares will be planted with forest and pastoral plantations. During this same period, the country will produce and plant 10 million seedlings from the enhanced nurseries, and an additional 1.8 million seedlings will be planted as part of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021‑2030).
Beyond the technical details, the plan includes cultural and commemorative elements. Tunisia will mark National Tree Day on November 8 under the slogan “A Tree Today, a Forest Tomorrow.” This annual observance is designed to raise public awareness, encourage volunteer involvement, and celebrate the progress of the reforestation effort.
The government’s decision is underpinned by a broader understanding that reforestation can deliver multiple climate benefits. Increased forest cover sequesters atmospheric carbon, stabilises local microclimates, and mitigates soil erosion, all of which are critical in a country that has faced rise of temperature and desiccation. By choosing species that are native and drought‑resistant, Tunisia seeks to reduce vulnerability to future fire events and make the restored forests more resilient to climate variability.
While the announcement focuses on immediate implementation targets, it also outlines a framework for long‑term monitoring and adaptation. Digital tools and watchtowers will feed data into a central monitoring system, allowing managers to track growth, health, and fire risk across the reforested areas. The plan’s emphasis on partnership mobilises expertise from NGOs, businesses, and community groups, creating a network of stakeholders who can collectively respond to emerging threats.
In the context of international climate commitments, Tunisia’s effort aligns with the Global Biodiversity Framework’s goal of restoring degraded ecosystems by 2030. By allocating 30,000 hectares for reforestation, the country is positioning itself as a regional leader in forest restoration, offering a model that blends technological innovation, community engagement, and ecological foresight.
