MOLDPRES REPORT // Banks of Prut River united by forests: Moldova, Romania plant together for future generations

The banks of the Prut River on March 14 became the place for a symbolic and powerful gesture of solidarity with nature. In the village of Blindesti, Sculeni commune, Ungheni district, in Moldova, and in Sculeni, Iasi County, in Romania, a large joint tree-planting campaign brought together authorities, foresters and volunteers from both banks of the river.

The event began on the Romanian bank of the Prut and continued on the Moldovan bank, marking through two symbolic plantings the cooperation between the two states for environmental protection and the expansion of forested areas.

The activities were attended by the Environment Minister of Moldova Gheorghe Hajder and Romanian Minister of Environment, Waters and Forests Diana Buzoianu, together with foresters from the Moldsilva Agency and the National Forest Administration – Romsilva, local authorities and dozens of volunteers.

Tree planting on both banks of the Prut

In Romania, at Sculeni, the work focused on completing an existing forest plantation over an area of 7 hectares. Oak and ash saplings were planted here, valuable species for restoring forest ecosystems and maintaining biodiversity.

On the Moldovan bank, in the village of Blindesti, volunteers and foresters planted a new area of 3.5 hectares with oak, ash, field maple and elm saplings. These species help stabilize the soil, create resilient forest ecosystems and increase the forested area of Moldova.

The act of planting trees on both banks of the Prut was full of meaning: not only an environmental project, but also a demonstration of regional cooperation and shared responsibility towards nature.

The common message: the forest has no borders

In his speech, Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two states and the role of forests in ensuring a healthy environment:

"The forest has no borders, and today, officially, #ForestGeneration has crossed the Prut. Afforestation campaigns have already become a tradition, as well as a shared responsibility. Together, for a more forested Moldova and Romania."

According to the minister, the action conveys a clear message: protecting nature cannot be limited by administrative boundaries and cooperation between neighboring states is essential for maintaining ecological balance.

A similar message was delivered by Romanian Minister of Environment, Waters and Forests Diana Buzoianu, who highlighted the symbolic character of planting on both banks of the Prut:

"Today, we launched Forest Month and the planting season with an important message: the forest has no borders. We took part in planting activities on both sides of the Prut, as forest protection is a common mission of Romania and Moldova. Today’s planting sends a simple but powerful message: the forests of the future are built together."

The minister stressed that the Prut River did not separate two worlds, but unites them through shared ecosystems and shared responsibilities.

"The Prut does not divide us; it reminds us that we share the same ecosystems and the same responsibility towards nature. When we plant a tree, we plant more than a forest – we plant cooperation, trust and a common future for the communities on both banks of the river."

A national effort to expand forests

The action is part of the National Programme for the Expansion and Rehabilitation of Forests of Moldova, a strategic project aimed at significantly increasing the forest area in the coming years. The programme provides for the rehabilitation and afforestation of 145,000 hectares of land during a decade.

The results so far already show the impact of the programme: in the first three years since its launch, over 20,000 hectares have been rehabilitated and afforested.

This spring, afforestation works are planned in Moldova on an area of approximately 3,000 hectares, with over 11 million saplings grown in specialized nurseries.

On the other bank of the Prut, the forest regeneration programme carried out by Romsilva provides for the planting of about 25 million saplings within the spring and autumn campaigns. These actions complement the national afforestation programme financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, through which Romania has committed to achieving 18,000 hectares of afforestation and reforestation.

Solidarity for a cleaner environment

The #ForestGeneration afforestation campaign has mobilized numerous institutions in Moldova. Teams from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, the National Food Safety Agency and the Ministry of Education and Research joined planting activities in different regions of the country.

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu took part in a planting action in Cimislia, where, together with his colleagues, he planted acacia saplings.

"Today, I planted acacia trees in Cimislia, together with my colleagues from parliament. It is an activity that energizes you and makes you reflect on the responsibility we have towards nature. Forests represent our air. We will plant together in the coming years as well, to make sure we leave behind a green and clean Moldova."

A gesture for future generations

Planting trees is not only a symbolic action, but also a long-term investment in environmental health. Forests help purify the air, protect soils from erosion, conserve water resources and help combat climate change.

Through the joint action in Sculeni and Blindesti, Moldova and Romania sent a simple, but powerful message: nature has no borders and protecting it is a shared responsibility.

The #ForestGeneration campaign will continue in the coming weeks in more regions of Moldova, with new planting actions and the involvement of local communities, volunteers and public institutions.

And every sapling planted today will, in time, become a promise for the future — a promise of cleaner air, more fertile soils and a healthier environment for generations to come.