Statements at the Tree Planting Ceremony during Natural Resources Week

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

The tradition of tree planting is a very good tradition. Our act of planting a tree is a symbolic act. When we plant a tree, it signifies that the youth, who possess several times the energy of an aging person like us and have more vitality, should plant more trees, and our dear people should get accustomed to the tradition of creating this means of life. Trees and plants are symbols of life; they are alive and life-giving, and they make the environment livable for humans and animals. Attention to plants is not just about providing food; it is about ensuring a livable space for humans. Therefore, plants are very important.

Now, suppose we plant one tree here, and many others plant several trees; this is a very good act. However, if the vegetation of our country, the trees of our country—which is a great ancient wealth that has been left for us—are subjected to encroachment, this is a loss. Our pastures, our forests, are our great vital reserves. The country must benefit from the forest for everything. The forest is truly a great and renewable source of life. If we use the pasture and forest wisely and correctly, they will never be depleted. This is not like oil, which exists one day and is gone the next; it is not like a gold mine, which exists one day and is also gone the next; this always exists. If we deal wisely and correctly with the plant resources of the country—namely, our forests, our pastures—and consequently, the urban parks, which are of secondary importance, these will always remain. Unfortunately, for years this has not been the case; that is, individuals who are prone to exploitation have taken advantage of our forests, our pastures, encroached upon them, and seized them.

What I want to emphasize to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, to the Environment Organization, and to all those involved is to ensure that this circle of unjust and incorrect encroachment does not expand and is stopped. Cut off the hands of the encroachers. Many reports come in, and one can observe it oneself—up to the point where one has the opportunity to see it up close during travels; or those who have seen it up close and are trustworthy come and inform us—unfortunately, there has been oppression against the country and its people due to encroachments on forests and pastures. The lands of the pastures have been encroached upon in various places, especially near large cities, and have been wasted; this must be prevented; otherwise, we plant one tree here, two trees there, or for example, thousands of trees are planted across the country, but equivalent to that, trees that have long lifespans and can remain and can be sources of benefit—while the forest can be used for timber without being disturbed or harmed—are destroyed; this effort will not yield results. It is not very profitable for a person to create something on one side while losing the main things on the other side; this must be carefully monitored. Tree planting is a lesson for us to appreciate the existing trees. This tree, a small short-lived tree, is of little importance, has no impact; it exists today, but may not exist tomorrow; however, the tree that lives for a hundred or two hundred years, and these valuable trees of the vast forests, we must preserve them and not allow them to be encroached upon.

God willing, may you be successful.