After years marked by war and prolonged siege, trees are once again emerging as symbols of hope in Zabadani in Rif Dimashq/ Damascus Countryside governorate, southwestern Syria, and its surrounding countryside. The recently launched “Our Countryside Is Green” campaign aims to revive the region’s vegetation cover and restore what the land lost during one of the harshest periods in its modern history.
Zabadani, long known for its fertile plains, forested mountains, and mild climate, was among the areas in Rural Damascus that suffered the most severe environmental damage. Local authorities estimate that nearly three-quarters of its vegetation cover was lost during the years of siege, largely due to military operations and widespread deforestation for fuel. The consequences extended beyond the landscape, affecting agriculture, the local climate, and the overall environmental and economic stability of the population.
The “Our Countryside Is Green” campaign, launched by Syria’s Ministry of Agriculture in Damascus Countryside governorate, seeks to plant approximately 500,000 saplings in its current phase, with a longer-term target of nearly one million trees. The plan spans 45 days and covers various areas across the governorate, including city entrances, public streets, and agricultural lands, while also encouraging community participation in sustainable farming projects.
The campaign was officially launched on December 15, 2025, from the northern entrance of Damascus in Harasta, Eastern Ghouta, in the presence of ministers, local officials, civil society representatives, and community groups. Officials described the initiative as part of a broader national reforestation effort that has been underway in other provinces in recent years.
From a Green Plain to a Scarred Landscape
Speaking to +963, Waddah Hamdan, Deputy Director of the Zabadani and its surrounding areas, said the campaign was initiated following direct guidance from the Governor of Rural Damascus, after multiple field visits highlighted the extent of environmental and agricultural degradation in Zabadani and its vicinity.
Hamdan explained that the region was subjected to intense military operations over several years, including large-scale tree cutting in the Zabadani plain and the western mountain range. This resulted in the loss of vast green areas, making reforestation an urgent and unavoidable priority.
According to Hamdan, Zabadani and Madaya were given priority within the campaign due to their fertile soil and available water resources, factors that significantly increase the environmental and economic impact of replanting efforts. He noted that the campaign includes both forest trees and fruit-bearing saplings, selected to match the region’s climate and terrain to ensure long-term survival and sustainability.
Coordination has been carried out with local municipalities to determine each area’s specific needs, whether for forestation, agriculture, or landscaping. Hamdan stressed that residents are the primary beneficiaries of the campaign, with a particular focus on farmers, who receive fruit trees to help improve their income and reactivate agricultural production that was severely disrupted during the war years.
Read also: https://963media.com/en/16/12/2025/idlib-a-green-season-on-diseased-soil/
Figures Reveal the Scale of Environmental Loss
Abdul Rahman Ghabis, director of the “Our Countryside Is Green” campaign, told +963 that Damascus Countryside requires approximately two million saplings annually to maintain ecological balance. However, the current shortfall stands at around 1.5 million trees, reflecting the extensive damage inflicted on vegetation cover over the past years.
Ghabis estimated that at least 3.2 million trees were destroyed due to military operations and climate-related factors, contributing to shrinking green spaces, land degradation, and partial desertification in some areas. This, he said, has created an urgent need for comprehensive environmental restoration.
In Madaya, an additional challenge complicates reforestation efforts: the widespread presence of landmines and unexploded remnants of war in the surrounding areas. These hazards pose serious risks and limit planting activities in zones that have not been fully secured.
Campaign organizers explained that planting trees in areas not confirmed to be completely safe imposes strict constraints to protect volunteers and residents, particularly in lands near former military positions. Local officials noted that civil defence teams are providing support through surveying and awareness efforts but emphasized that the scale of contamination requires significant time and resources before these lands can be safely rehabilitated.
