The Hungarian government has announced the launch of a large-scale reforestation program that will cost tens of billions of forints (tens of millions of US dollars). This was announced by Prime Minister Péter Magar on Thursday.
The program, approved on its first reading, provides for non-repayable grants until 2030 for planting millions of trees and creating extensive forest areas, riverside walking zones, and green corridors across the country.
The main focus of the initiative is on using drought-resistant tree species, maintaining urban greenery, restructuring forests, and controlling invasive species. Magar emphasized that tree planting will be combined with water resource conservation measures to increase resilience to extreme weather conditions such as heat and drought.
The environmental organization '10 Millio Fa' (10 Million Trees) reacted positively to this decision, calling it a 'good start,' but also called for broader environmental reforms.
This announcement followed the hottest August in Hungary's history since data collection began in 1901. The severe summer drought also led to a drop in the water level of the Danube, which forced a temporary reduction in power generation at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant and activated emergency water management measures.