20,000 mangrove seedlings have been planted today at Umm Al-Naasan Island as part of the national afforestation campaign (Forever Green).
The initiative was held under the patronage of His Majesty the King's Personal Representative, Supreme Council for the Environment (SCE) President, His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture teamed up with the Supreme Council for the Environment and the Royal Guard to plant the seedlings as Bahrain aims to increase mangrove plantations.
Upon arrival, HH Shaikh Abdulla was received by the Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister, Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Oil and Environment Minister, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina, Commander of Sakhir Air Base, Head of Royal Follow-up Affair, Air Vice-Marshal Mohammed Bahussain Al-Musallam, Dr. Khalid Ahmed Hassan, Undersecretary for Agriculture and Marine Resources, and other officials.
HH Shaikh Abdulla indicated that the project aligns with the development goals, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, noting that the scheme signals the second phase of the plan aimed to plant 460,000 mangroves annually.
The initiative is also in line with the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and in implementation of the national afforestation campaign (Forever Green), he added.
The ambitious plan aims to expands the green areas and achieve environmental balance as part of Bahrain's continuous efforts, to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2035, and reach zero neutrality in 2060.
"This ambitious programme is one of the important steps aimed to mitigate the effects of climate change, as well as provide a natural and incubating environment for fish and marine life, and for birds, especially migratory birds that are abundant in the Kingdom", he said.
He commended cooperation that brings together the government and private sectors to protect biodiversity and cultivate mangroves, pointing out that the planting of these trees has a major role in protecting the marine and coastal environment.
HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad planted mangrove seedlings on the coast of Umm Al Naasan Island, which is considered a natural reserve for many birds, fish and marine crustaceans.
The mangrove plant cultivation project on the island aims to preserve marine life and environmental balance due to the great and effective benefits of these plants in mitigating climate change.
Source: Bahrain News Agency