Reiterating its commitment towards sustainability, on the occasion of the International Day of Forests, e-commerce based direct selling company QNET, in partnership with the humanitarian group Ness El Khir and the environmentally-based association, la Voix de la Nature (the Voice of Nature), in collaboration with the General Department of Forests Management, proceeded today to the organization of a vast tree planting operation in the forest of Boghni in the Province of Tizi Ouzou.
This action is launched in response to the damage caused during the fires which ravaged, the North of the country, last summer, of which Tizi-Ouzou was the most affected, destroying thousands of hectares of trees including fruit trees which represent the only resource for some families. By making an effort to replace this forest heritage, several reforestation campaigns have been launched since October 2021 by state and private organizations.
In this regard, it should be noted that between 2010 and 2019, Algeria recorded nearly 3,000 fires, burning an area equivalent to about 30,000 soccer fields a year. Annual losses in assets are a staggering 1.5 billion Algerian dinar (DA), about US$11 million, and the compensation paid to disaster victims reached 600 million DA, US$4.4 million, in 2020.
According to Ms. Malou Caluza, CEO of QNET: “This reforestation campaign intervenes “in response to the fires” that affected northern Algeria, in particular the Province of Tizi Ouzou, in last summer, with the aim of replacing recorded losses and restore the vegetation cover in the region. It’s a must for us to participate in this campaign in order to build support for the national reforestation program and thus reiterate our commitment to the environment.”
To manage wildfire incidents and develop prevention measures in Algeria, public authorities are actively strengthening the resources of the General Department of Forests Management and encouraging more collaborative work to improve intervention, surveillance, and sustainable community initiative. Through this reforestation initiative, QNET aims to contribute to the ecological welfare in the country, especially in regions where environmental threats are imminent.
The trees planted will comprise olive trees, pomegranate trees and fig trees planted by the Independent Representatives of QNET as well as the members of the two partner associations. The goal of the operation is to raise awareness about the culture of environmental protection, especially among the youth, and rejuvenating the green spaces decimated by the fires.
Explaining further on the initiative, Caluza adds, “QNET understands the critical role of forests in the livelihoods, ecology, culture, and health of the communities in which it operates, and the launch of this operation indicates QNET’s commitment to actively protect nature by planting trees that help improve local ecosystems and generate sustainable agro-forestry livelihoods for local communities. We are working through our CSR arm, RYTHM Foundation on long term social impact programs in underserved communities in developing countries.”
The reforestation initiative aligns with QNET’s core values which are inspired by the company’s founders’ philosophy of RYTHM « Raise Yourself to Help Mankind » to help make a positive impact in the lives of communities around the world. Caluza concludes, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our independent representatives and in particular our partners La Voix de la Nature & Ness El Khir for their mobilization and dedication which made the operation a success.”
Commenting on this collaborative project, Mr. Nassim, the representative of La Voix de la Nature association said, “We are delighted of this first successful collaboration with QNET on this important initiative, which means a lot to the inhabitants of the province of Tizi Ouzou especially after the fires of last summer which caused serious damages; we received an incredible support from them starting from the preparations until the planting day, and this is an opportunity for us to thank them in a concrete and tangible way. »
For her part, the representative of Ness El Khir, Ms. Lilya declared “We would like to thank QNET for its continued trust in us and we salute it for its unwavering commitment to humanitarian actions.”
This reforestation initiative complements QNET’s sustainability program, announced last November, called “Green Legacy”. The first stage of the program is in partnership with Certified B Corporation, EcoMatcher with the planting of three new forests in Kenya, UAE, and the Philippines. The programme contributes to QNET’s goal to contribute to UN’s SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land). The three QNET forests collectively support the families of 15 planters in these countries and will sequester 750 tonnes of CO2 over the lifetime of the trees.
Forests are both the primary terrestrial carbon sink and the main source of biodiversity on land. In an unprecedented context of climate change and biodiversity erosion, forests are our natural allies in preserving and restoring biodiversity and in taking action against climate change. As such, reforestation is one of the best natural solutions to both preserve and strengthen biodiversity and combat climate change. By aiding reforestation efforts, organisations such as QNET play a pivotal role in ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
