Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister received members of Rotary Club of Manama.
The minister discussed the planting of mangrove trees and the plan to quadruple their number by 2035, as part of Bahrain’s afforestation plan to double the number of trees by 2035 and quadruple the number of mangroves, in accordance with the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).
He underlined Bahrain’s goal to grow its tree population from 1.8 million trees to 3.6 million by 2035, while increasing its mangrove trees from 400,000 trees to 1.6 million by then and to reach zero neutrality by 2060 through its afforestation project.
The minister affirmed the importance of mangrove trees and their vital role in combating climate change as one of the blue economy bases and their contribution to improving fish stocks, purifying water, and has many environmental benefits that helps preserve the ecosystem.
“Bahrain managed to plant 150,000 trees in 2022 at a 110% rate of the announced goal, and we are currently moving towards achieving the announced goal for 2023,” Al Mubarak said.
“We have successfully managed as well to plant 110,000 Mangrove trees in 2022, reaching 100% of its announced goal, as we aim to achieve the announced planting goal of 2023.”
Al Mubarak affirmed the success of the national arboretum project for the cultivation of mangroves and noted the ministry’s success in building several plantations that produce large numbers of these trees in a number of locations such as Ra’s al Mamtalah, Dohat Arad, Tubli, Diraz, South of Durra, Halat Nuaim-Seltah, Ras Hayan and others.
He emphasized the importance of cooperation with civil society organizations and NGOs to promote the importance of agriculture and raise awareness of its environmental and nutritional benefits.
The minister praised the club for its support of the mangrove tree planting project that contributes to the preservation of the marine environment.
Hussain Jaffar Maki, Undersecretary of the Agricultural Sector and Marine Resources discussed Bahrain’s famous gray mangroves, known as “Avicenna Marina”, highlighting its ecological benefits, its life cycle, and its distinctiveness in absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide and breathing it through aerial roots. In pointing out the history of mangroves, he mentioned that it dates back to the Tylosian civilization.
Renuka Ravindran, President of Rotary Club of Manama, affirmed the club’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, and said they are working to establish a partnership with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture to plant mangrove trees.
Source: Bahrain News Agency