Government promotes reforestation surrounding Cristo Rei to restore degraded areas
On March 8th, 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry, through the Secretary of State for Forestry, Fernandino Vieira da Costa, along with members of the Government and National Parliament, local authorities, UNTL students, and the community, held the launch of the Reforestation Programme in Fatucama, Cristo Rei Administrative Post, Municipality of Dili. 
In his speech, the Secretary of State for Forestry highlighted that the main goal of this initiative is to promote reforestation to ensure the sustainability of national development and address climate change in Timor-Leste. The initiative also seeks to raise awareness among local communities in the Dili area, recover degraded areas, restore forest ecosystems, prevent soil erosion and degradation, enhance water conservation and climate regulation, support community livelihoods, and reduce carbon emissions, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation.
Reforestation is not just about planting new trees but is a core strategy for restoring ecosystems, safeguarding soil and water resources, and enhancing the long-term well-being of communities. This programme is a commitment by the 9th Constitutional Government to continue planting trees in critical areas of the national territory," he said.
The Secretary of State also highlighted that several areas, particularly in the capital Dili and its surrounding regions, have arid soils. This underscores the Government's duty to promote tree planting as a means of rehabilitating these degraded regions. Observations from elevated points indicate that many slopes between Cristo Rei and Metinaro are in a critically dry state, necessitating urgent recovery efforts.
We will carry on developing reforestation programmes on the slopes of areas surrounding the capital. The population from across the country concentrated in the capital exerts significant pressure on forests and nearby vegetation. Therefore, this initiative is part of an ongoing effort to plant in locations identified as critical and with degraded soils,” he said.
The Secretary of State also expressed gratitude to the involved ministries, local authorities, development partners, students, and communities for their active participation, despite the event taking place on a Sunday. He highlighted its symbolism and the collective responsibility of all citizens in protecting and conserving forests and the environment, particularly in Fatucama and Dolokoan, Cristo Rei.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry; the Minister of Education; the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs; the Secretary of State for Land and Property; the Secretary of State for Cooperatives; the Secretary of State for Electricity, Water and Sanitation; members of the National Parliament; local authorities; officials from the Directorate-General for Forestry; students from UNTL; and the community of the Cristo Rei Administrative Post in Dili also attended the ceremony to launch the Reforestation Programme.
