In brief
On November 4, 2026, Tunisia unveiled a 10‑year action plan (2026‑2035) to restore 30,000 hectares of forest, responding to 74,602 hectares lost to fires between 2011 and 2025. The programme emphasizes native species, digital surveillance, and participatory partnerships, with an initial 2026‑2027 season targeting 24,000 hectares and a goal of producing 10 million seedlings. The initiative aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and will be marked by a National Tree Day on November 8.
The Tunisian government announced, on November 4, 2026, a strategic action plan to reforest 30,000 hectares of forest over the next decade, according to a report from Xinhua. The initiative, aimed at boosting climate resilience and restoring ecosystems, follows extensive losses from wildfires that destroyed 74,602 hectares between 2011 and 2025.
Financially, the fires cost Tunisia about 241.16 million dinars, roughly 80 million U.S. dollars, the Xinhua piece noted. The new plan seeks to reverse that trend by prioritising the planting of cork oak and Aleppo pine—species that are native and well adapted to the region’s climatic conditions.
Modernising forest infrastructure is a key component, with the strategy earmarking digital platforms and automated watchtowers for early detection of fires. In addition, the plan calls for the construction of water reservoirs in elevated areas to support reforestation efforts and improve water management for dry periods.
Central to the programme is participatory management of forest resources. The government aims to mobilise water resources, access climate finance, and forge stronger partnerships with private sector actors and civil‑society organisations, as reported by Xinhua, to ensure the sustainability of the reforestation interventions.
For the 2026‑2027 planting season, authorities plan to cover 24,000 hectares of restoration work. This will include 15,260 hectares of natural regeneration and 8,716 hectares of forest and pastoral plantations, according to the official announcement. The plan also involves the production and planting of 10 million seedlings, with 1.8 million planted in collaboration with UN‑led initiatives for the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021‑2030).
The campaign is set to culminate in a National Tree Day on November 8, during which the country will carry a slogan—“A Tree Today, a Forest Tomorrow.” The day is intended to raise public awareness and celebrate the reforestation effort, the Xinhua source added.
Overall, the 10‑year plan represents a significant step for Tunisia, balancing ecological restoration with technological integration and community involvement, journalists noted. The programme's outcomes will depend on sustained funding, cooperative implementation, and continued monitoring of the reforested areas over the coming decade.
