MoECC Official: Mangrove Green Belt Project Boosts Plant Ten Million Tree Initiative

Mangrove Green Belt Project

The rapid development of Qatar's mangrove green belt project is making significant contributions to the "Plant Ten Million Trees" initiative, aimed at environmental preservation and climate change mitigation, according to a top official.

Dr. Engineer Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari, an environmental expert and engineering consultant in the office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), stated that mangrove forests in Qatar have expanded from two square kilometers in Al Zakhira to over 14 square kilometers across the coastal areas of Al Khor, Al Zakhira, Al Ruwais, and Ras Matbakh due to the green belt project.

In an interview with Qatar TV, Al Kuwari emphasized the project's importance in the state's efforts to increase green spaces through tree planting. "Our goal is to plant 10 million trees by 2030, with mangrove green belts playing a crucial role in this initiative," he said.

He highlighted the numerous benefits of the mangrove green belt, including the capture of significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. "Mangrove forests stabilize coastlines, reducing erosion caused by storm surges, currents, waves, and tides. Their complex root systems also provide habitat for fish and other organisms, enhancing food security by offering protection and food sources."

Al Kuwari noted the global impact of rising temperatures, which lead to droughts, desertification, forest fires, ice melt, floods, and sea level rise—environmental disasters driven by global warming. He stated that worldwide initiatives and projects are being undertaken to address these challenges.

"Tree planting and care are, in my opinion, the most effective measures we can take to combat climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, preserve soil moisture, and reduce desertification and drought," he remarked.

Qatar's mangrove forests span a total of 14 square kilometers along the coastal areas of Al Zakhira, Al Khor, Al Shamal, and other parts of the country. Mangroves' ability to store carbon, up to five times more than upland tropical forests, makes them a powerful natural solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.

Recognizing the significant environmental, economic, social, and tourism benefits of mangrove trees, the MoECC is committed to preserving and protecting them from overexploitation and implementing best practices for their development.

Qatar's mangrove forests, located primarily along the eastern coast, are considered one of the nation's environmental marvels and serve as a vital carbon reservoir that helps protect the planet. The largest of these forests is in the Al Zakhira area, north of Al Khor City, and features various types of mangroves, including the gray mangrove, also known as Marina Ibn Sina.

 

 

Source: The Peninsula Qatar