Pine trees, which were only recently planted, are being cut down in Ashgabat and its suburbs to be replaced with white cedar trees.
In early June the executives of the State Sports Committee once again instructed its staff to make a money contribution of 20 manats ($6 using the government-established exchange rate or $3 using the “black market” rate) for “landscape gardening”.
In mid June a clean-up campaign was held near “Bagir” stadium where athletes and officials from the sports committee planted young pine trees.
However, later the higher ranking authorities admonished the State Sports Committee and instructed them to plant white cedar trees instead of pine trees.The executives again collected cash from their subordinates, this time 50 manats ($14 using the government-established exchange rate or $7.5 using the “black market” rate).
At the latest clean-up campaign representatives of the Turkmen sports rooted out the young pine trees and planted white cedar trees.
Summer and autumn are considered to be the best times for planting young trees when the soil produces much moisture. However, officials were not embarrassed to order the planting during the 40 degree summer heat.
Let us recall that on 15 June, after making an unexpected visit of the capital in a helicopter, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov instructed the planting of “trees of various colours” in the city.