National Tree Planting Day

Lesotho has marked National Tree Planting Day on March 21 since 2012, linking the date with the International Day of Forests and the country’s response to soil erosion, land degradation and climate pressure. Government, forestry officers, schools, traditional leadership, businesses and communities have used the occasion for practical planting rather than treating it only as an awareness slogan.

Recent programmes show why annual details matter. The 2025 government campaign reported 100,000 trees planted around the country, while the 2026 forest commemoration at Taung Ha Serobele in Mohale’s Hoek was held a day early and included trees planted by the King and Prime Minister. A proposed 2025 law would make March 21 a public holiday, but the commemoration remained non-statutory in 2026.

National Tree Planting Day is an official national commemoration, but it was not a public holiday under the law in force for 2026. The Public Holidays Bill 2025 proposed adding March 21 and introducing Monday substitution for weekend holidays, but it had not been enacted by July 30, 2026. Participation therefore creates no general statutory paid leave, closure or substitute day; schools, employers and government offices follow their ordinary Saturday arrangements unless a separate notice applies.