Statements After Planting Saplings on Tree Planting Day

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Thanks be to God, the Almighty has granted me the opportunity this year, as in previous years, to fulfill my duty in this regard during the sapling planting season, to the minimum extent possible for me. This year, the officials have proposed the slogan that every Iranian should plant three saplings; today we also planted three saplings, like the other Iranians. If, God willing, three saplings are planted for each person in the number of the Iranian nation, it means that over four years, the government's plan to create one billion saplings will be realized; that is, 250 million each year over four years, which, God willing, will begin in the year 1402. This program is an important one. The issue of sapling planting, the issue of preserving the environment, and the numerous benefits that arise from the proliferation of sapling planting and trees in society and the country are among the most important issues of the country. It is not just our concern; our neighboring countries have planned up to four billion or even ten billion at a certain point; how much they can or cannot achieve is another discussion, but we can. With the help of the people, over four years, from 1402 onward, God willing, we can create one billion saplings; with God's grace, the people will strive in this regard, the agencies will also assist, and each agency has a duty to fulfill.

One point is that planting saplings is an important matter; it is important for the environment and also for the economy of the country. A few years ago, some wrote letters and recommended that fruit-bearing trees be planted, and we planted fruit-bearing trees. This year, some specialists and experts reminded me that non-fruit trees, forest trees, and various other trees whose wood is considered fruit are also important for the country; this is completely correct, and I recommend to the people to plant forest trees alongside fruit-bearing trees; trees whose wood is important, both for domestic wood consumption in the country and for wood trade, which is one of the important issues.

Well, we need to utilize all possible economic resources in our country. An economy dependent on a single product reaches the point you see today. We have problems today; we have issues with the value of our national currency, and we have problems with inflation and rising prices. All possible economic avenues must be utilized by the officials. Of course, they are working — I see — and they are making efforts; God willing, they will continue these efforts with strength and find and implement correct solutions for the economic problems of the people. One of the important tasks is precisely this issue of tree planting, which can truly be of great significance for the economy of the country. We are among the few countries that have environmental preservation enshrined in our constitution. In our constitution, environmental preservation is explicitly stated, and this is an important matter; no one should violate this law, and this is one of the prominent advantages of our constitution. We hope, God willing, that in this matter, the people will succeed, the officials will succeed, and the necessary tasks that are incumbent upon everyone will be carried out, God willing, with divine assistance.

I also want to make a reference to the current issue that has been raised these days regarding the poisoning of students. In this regard, I am aware that the officials have sat down, discussed, and are making efforts, and they have specified their duties. I want to emphasize that this issue must be pursued seriously. It is a significant matter. If there are indeed hands at work and individuals or groups are involved in this matter, this is a great and unforgivable crime. If there are those involved in this act — undoubtedly, there must be individuals involved; in some way, there are certainly those involved — the responsible agencies, the intelligence agencies, and the law enforcement agencies must pursue this and uncover the roots of this crime — both the perpetrators and the instigators — and they must be subjected to the severest punishment, and the harshest penalties must be enforced against them. Because this is not a small crime; it is a crime against the most innocent elements of a society — namely, children — and it causes terror and psychological insecurity in society and concern for families; these are not trivial matters. These must be pursued with seriousness, and everyone should know that if individuals are convicted, there will be no amnesty for them, and they must certainly be punished, and their punishment must serve as a lesson.

We hope that the Almighty God will grant our nation, our country, and our people, God willing, good fortune, and may divine grace be upon us — as it has been, thanks be to God, until today — and may the officials be able to carry out the tasks they have in mind with seriousness, God willing, and move forward.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.