ANKARA

The director-general and chairman of the board of Anadolu Agency on Thursday planted green saplings in honor of National Afforestation Day.

Marking the day – held annually since 2019 – Serdar Karagoz put saplings into the soil of the gardens at agency headquarters in the Turkish capital Ankara.

Executives and employees of Anadolu Agency were present at the event, in which grape, fruit saplings were planted around the agency as well as a plane tree.

Speaking at the event, Karagoz said Anadolu Agency was founded over 100 years ago and that they chose a plane tree for the front yard as they are known for their centuries-long lifespan.

Karagoz also mentioned how Turkey recently suffered from wildfires in line with global climate change, sadly costing the country countless trees, as well as animals, and so reforestation is necessary.

Turkey has enjoyed an intense afforestation campaign in the past two decades in comparison with European countries, he said, adding that Nov. 11 should be viewed as a day of sensitivity and awareness towards green life.

Furthermore, he said Anadolu Agency, Turkey's leading news source, has recently become more focused on environmental news and has supported afforestation campaigns.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas