Statements After Planting Trees on Arbor Day

On the occasion of Arbor Day and Natural Resources Week

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad and his pure family, and may God's curse be upon all their enemies.

First, I congratulate the joyous occasion of the birth of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) to the entire Iranian nation and all those who hear this speech. The noble existence of Hussein ibn Ali (peace be upon him) is the center of love for the Iranian nation and all Muslim nations, both Shia and non-Shia. We hope that this day will be a blessed day for the Iranian nation, and God willing, the noble Prophet of Islam, the Commander of the Faithful, and Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon them) will grant a blessing to the Iranian nation and all Muslim nations today.

Today is Arbor Day; thanks be to God, we have had the opportunity, as in previous years, to plant two saplings and to carry out what we could in this regard. All our dear brothers and sisters should know that planting trees is a religious and revolutionary act; it is an act that has a religious origin and a revolutionary origin. Today, anyone who is active in this field should know that they are performing a revolutionary act and a religious act. Of course, planting is the first stage of the work; maintaining the trees is the next stage; that is, preserving and taking care of the trees is also very important and must be observed.

God the Exalted has made living plants a source of comprehensive sustenance for all people; that is, plants are the source of food, the source of medicine, the source of respiration, and the source of beauty and aesthetic appeal in nature; they provide comfort to the soul and sustain the human body. This is how plants are.

Therefore, creating and preserving living plants is a public duty of all humans, as all humans are dependent on plants. For this reason, we emphasize, and have always emphasized, that the destruction of forests, the destruction of the environment, and the annihilation of plant growth and greenery on the earth is a destruction of national resources and a blow to the public interests of society. Everyone should know that destroying a part of the forest for the sake of building a structure or a center is certainly harmful. In emergency cases, of course, it is not problematic, but naturally, this is undoubtedly detrimental to the nation and to national interests.

We must all pay attention to the fact that environmental issues are not ceremonial or decorative matters; some think that environmental issues are secondary and peripheral to the essential tasks of the country; this is not the case. Preserving the environment is one of the most fundamental and necessary tasks of the country and its institutions.

One of the serious tasks of environmental protection is the issue of water and soil. Many are unaware that water and soil are two immense national treasures, two vital reserves for all nations in all countries of the world; we should not deal with them wastefully, and we should not destroy the soil. Therefore, wasteful behavior with water and soil is certainly a blow to national interests. Of course, there are many policies and methods for optimal use of water and optimal use of soil; these are known to those who are knowledgeable in this field; those who have expertise in this area should guide and assist the officials, and the officials should pay attention to this issue.

Another topic concerning environmental protection is the issue of wildlife conservation. Being indifferent to wildlife and animals that are scattered throughout the country in forests, deserts, and plains is certainly detrimental to national interests. The issue of illegal hunting must be taken seriously. In Islamic law, hunting is only permissible if someone needs to hunt for sustenance; otherwise, hunting is not allowed at all, and it is not permitted by religious law. If you look in the jurisprudential books, they say that prayer during a journey undertaken for hunting is complete; meaning that the journey is forbidden; this indicates that this act is wrong. This must be taken into account; the issue of wildlife is very important.

Another point related to the Environmental Protection Organization is the prevention of the conversion of agricultural lands. It has been heard that in many cases, agricultural lands around cities, near cities, and in some plains are being converted into other constructions; this must be stopped, as it is certainly detrimental to national interests. Agricultural lands must be developed, which is not solely the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Organization; the Ministry of Agriculture and some other agencies also have an impact in this matter.

Another issue related to the environment is the development of non-fossil energy; that is, energy that is not reliant on oil, such as nuclear energy, which is increasingly becoming popular worldwide, and various countries around us are moving towards nuclear energy. Solar energy, wind energy, and similar sources are essential, and the environment has an impact in this regard, but other agencies, such as the Ministry of Energy and others, also play a very important role in this matter, and everyone must fulfill this duty.

Therefore, working on environmental issues is a fundamental task, a national task, related to national interests, and it is the duty of all. Government officials must also pay attention to this, and God willing, they will do this work. Of course, all important tasks are carried out with the support of the nation. Now, today is Arbor Day, when all members of the nation can truly have an impact in this regard; that is, they can plant trees and preserve them and prevent the destruction of trees and gardens in cities or around cities, and help ensure that green and beneficial plants for the country, God willing, expand day by day. This work is the work of the people; they can fully participate, completely assist the government and officials, and God willing, they will carry out this work.

Once again, I congratulate the joyous occasion to all our dear people, to all the audience of this speech, and to all the listeners of this speech, and I pray for the health of all from God the Exalted.

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