A man from Turkey, Hikmet Kaya, is proof that our hard work and good intentions lead to big rewards.
This retired Turkish forest management chief posed in front of the empty land that he and his team helped transform into a rich forest, though the results were visible many years after.
His career started in Sinop town in the 70s and he retired 19 years after but continued growing his legacy. Literally.
Together with his team and other villagers, he brought and helped plant 30,000,000 saplings during his tenure. Long after he retired, the trees kept growing and today, this once-barren land is a beautiful forest.
A Legacy that Remains: Barren Land Transformed into a Stunning Forest
During the 19 years of afforestation, Kaya never ceased working.
41 years after he started the ambitious project, he went back to the now-lush land holding a photo of the once-flat environment, emphasizing the immense difference that’s obvious.
Kaya is very happy and proud of the afforestation results they’ve achieved.
And, it’s definitely an example worth pointing out. Namely, the Global Forest Watch notes that there’s a 5.4 percent reduction in the tree cover in Turkey as of 2000.
Deforestation Is the Main Culprit to Tree Cover Decline
Deforestation has been the major contributing factor to this decline and reversing it is therefore pivotal.
Fighting against deforestation is closely linked with changes in governmental policies and it’s therefore pivotal for people to know who they’re casting their votes for and to ensure these representatives will hear their voices.
Despite this factor, many individuals have taken matters into their own hands, and from India to Ghana, to China, people are planting trees to make difference.
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