In brief
Tunisia has unveiled a decade‑long plan to reforest 30,000 hectares, prioritizing cork oak and Aleppo pine species. The program includes digital detection tools, seedling production, and partnership with private and civil‑society actors to recover forest loss from year‑long fires. The first two years will cover 24,000 hectares of natural regeneration and plantations, with 1.8 million seedlings planted under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Tunisia has adopted a 10‑year action plan for 2026–2035 to restore 30,000 hectares of forest and improve climate resilience, the Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) reported on Tuesday, citing a decision announced in TUNIS on November 3. The plan follows extensive forest losses—74,602 hectares burned between 2011 and 2025— that cost the country an estimated 241.16 million Tunisian dinars (about 80 million USD).
At the heart of the program is a focus on two native tree types: cork oak (*Quercus suber*) and Aleppo pine (*Pinus halepensis*). These species are well‑adapted to the Mediterranean climate, offering high carbon sequestration rates and resistance to drought. By concentrating on cork oak and Aleppo pine, the plan aims to re‑establish ecosystems that can support biodiversity while providing economic benefits through cork production and timber.
To modernise forest infrastructure, the strategy will overhaul 10 forest nurseries and expand seedling production to 10 million cutting‑edge grafts. These seedlings will be planted across 24,000 hectares in the 2026–27 season—15,260 hectares of natural regeneration and 8,716 hectares of planted forest and pastoral plantations. The project will also generate 1.8 million seedlings in partnership with civil‑society organisations, aligning with the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030).
Digital Monitoring and Early Warning Systems
Recognising the importance of rapid fire detection, the plan will deploy digital monitoring platforms that integrate satellite imagery, aerial drones, and ground‑based sensors. Automated watchtowers equipped with real‑time sensors will feed data to a central command centre, allowing authorities to respond faster to emerging fire threats. Complementing these tools, the government will construct water reservoirs in elevated areas to provide reliable irrigation for newly planted seedlings, improving survival rates during dry spells.
These technological upgrades aim to shift from reactive firefighting to preventative action, reducing the risk of future forest loss. By implementing early warning systems, Tunisia intends to secure a higher ratio of planting to planting mortality, thereby achieving more efficient use of resources across the 10‑year period.
Participatory management is another cornerstone of the initiative. Authorities will invite private investors, non‑governmental organisations, and local communities to co‑manage forest resources. The plan stresses mobilising water resources and attracting climate financing to support large‑scale infrastructure improvements and community‑based monitoring schemes. Collaboration with corporate partners will also help secure investment for large nursery operations and the distribution of seedlings.
The reforestation effort coincides with the country’s National Tree Day on November 8, commemorated under the slogan “A Tree Today, a Forest Tomorrow.” This national observance will raise public awareness and encourage citizen involvement in tree planting activities, reinforcing a culture of environmental stewardship across all regions.
The strategy’s combination of species selection, digital tools, and multi‑stakeholder partnerships reflects Tunisia’s commitment to building resilient ecosystems. While the exact financial outlay for the program has not been disclosed, the plan builds on past losses measured at roughly 241.16 million dinars (80 million USD) and seeks to transform those figures into long‑term ecological and economic gains.