Tunisia plans to reforest 30,000 hectares by 2035 to counter forest fires

The Direction générale des forêts in Tunisia plans to reforest 30,000 hectares between 2026 and 2035 to restore ecosystems and adapt to climate change.

This initiative follows a period of severe damage where fires destroyed 74,602 hectares of national forest land between 2011 and 2025. The government estimates that these fires caused a financial and economic loss of 241.16 million dinars. The restoration strategy prioritizes cork oak and Aleppo pine forests by using local plant species adapted to the climate.

To protect these areas, authorities intend to modernize surveillance and fire prevention systems. These upgrades include the use of digital platforms, automated surveillance towers, and the creation of water reservoirs in high altitude zones. The plan also involves rehabilitating forest infrastructure and securing climate financing. The government scheduled a first phase of work for the 2026-2027 season covering nearly 24,000 hectares. This phase includes 15,260 hectares for natural regeneration and 8,716 hectares for forest and pastoral plantations.

Officials plan to produce and plant 10 million seedlings and rehabilitate ten forest nurseries. They also aim to plant 1.8 million seedlings through partnerships with private companies and civil society groups to support the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.