In collaboration with AFDC and part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program “positive touch”
touch launches “touch forest” as a tangible step towards a greener Lebanon
Beirut February 29, 2016: touch, the leading mobile telecommunications and data operator in Lebanon, managed by Zain Group, a leading telecom innovator in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, partnered with the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC) to launch the green initiative “touch forest” in an environmental day in Anjar.
Under its Corporate Social Responsibility program” Positive touch”, touch planted a total area of 3 hectares (30,000 square meters) in Anjar and Rachayya Al-Wadi in Bekaa, a space now known as “touch forest”. Touch, along with a number of its employees, media personnel, the Head of the Municipality of Anjar Garabed Pamboukian as well as a group of environmental experts from AFDC, visited the site in Anjar to plant its first trees. Touch forest now encompasses 1,500 stone pine trees, which are known for their high economic value. In fact, both Anjar and Rachayya Al-Wadi constitute perfect sites given their fertile soil and strategic locations.
While commenting on this initiative, the Corporate Communications Manager at touch Ghada Barakat said, “touch is an integral part of the Lebanese community, making it both a duty and an honor to pursue environmental initiatives like touch forest. I am confident that this project will leave a positive touch on Anjar and Rachayya Al-Wadi, both environmentally and economically, bearing in mind that it will be part of a series of similar initiatives through which touch will continue to join efforts in building a greener Lebanon”.
The partnership with AFDC came as a result of touch’s end of year digital campaign back in December, through which people voted on social media for their favorite cause. The environmental pillar got the highest votes making AFDC the winner.
Sawsan Abu Fakhreddine, the director General of AFDC, said,” AFDC appreciates touch efforts, not only for its support, but also for making “touch forest” a reality. It gives us great pleasure to see companies that are socially responsible and are constantly working towards improving the communities that embrace them. Solving our environmental problems in Lebanon is essential, knowing that they will affect many generations to come”.
This green project is part of the National Reforestation efforts within Lebanon’s National Reforestation Action plan launched by the Lebanese Government through the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment.