Dubai Municipality has begun a new drive to plant mangrove trees in Dubai’s natural reserves as part of its efforts to preserve and develop the coastal environment.
Mangrove forests play an important role in reducing carbon emissions, providing natural habitats, promoting reproduction and sustainability of marine biodiversity, and creating opportunities for ecotourism, he noted.
Dawoud Al Hajri, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said, “The initiative is part of implementing the UAE leadership’s directives to strengthen environmental sustainability and protect, manage and enhance the nation’s rich biodiversity. The initiative also assumes particular significance in the context of the UAE’s strategic initiative to drive efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, which will make it the first country in the Middle East and North Africa region to do so.”
“We are looking to increase the cultivation of mangroves in Dubai as they are considered an environmental treasure and have great economic and biological importance. They contribute to preserving different types of wildlife and marine life. The environment of mangrove roots serves as a natural incubator for fishery resources. They also provide a protective habitat for birds apart from being a source of food for them,” he further said.
Dubai Municipality will start planting mangrove trees in its marine reserves in Ras Al Khor and Jebel Ali. These trees will be planted in areas that are not exposed to waves, such as shallow areas and creeks, where the tidal rate does not exceed 1-2 meters.