Urban trees key to building cooler, climate-resilient cities: Environment Ministry

Colombo, July 12 (Daily Mirror) - Urban trees play a vital role in creating cooler, safer and more climate-resilient cities by providing benefits that extend far beyond shade, the Environment Ministry said.

The Ministry said urban forests help lower city temperatures, improve air quality, reduce flood risks and enhance public health, while also supporting local economies.

It noted that building resilient urban forests requires more than simply planting trees, stressing that sustained funding, effective planning and long-term policies are essential to ensure urban forests continue to protect communities from the growing impacts of climate change.

The Ministry added that urban forests are increasingly being recognised as critical infrastructure for developing sustainable and climate-resilient cities.