One million mangrove trees to be planted on Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi

Some 350,000 seedlings have been planted so far.

Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi  is going to get a whole lot greener over the next 10 years as one million mangrove trees are set to be planted.

The initiative is a part of Jubail Island Investment Company’s (JIIC) efforts to support the UAE’s aim to expand mangrove forest cover within the emirate.

To date, some 350,000 new seedlings have been put in the soil as part of the UAE’s ambitious goal of having an extra 100 million mangroves by 2030, revealed during the COP26 Conference in Glasgow.

It is hoped the new mangroves will allow the introduction of extra water channels to increase natural tidal flow into the surrounding wetlands areas.

 

 

Ponds that have been termed Biodiversity Genesis Zones have also been created within the new channel system and will improve the flushing of such channels to enhance the overall water quality within the wetland system.

In addition to the 350,000 seedlings already planted, Jubail Island has partnered with Etihad Airways to plant another 182,000 mangrove trees in the next five years.

Director of JIIC, Mounir Haidar said: “Mangrove forests are an important part of the UAE’s natural assets, providing a haven for wildlife while also helping to reduce overall carbon emissions, releasing oxygen and reducing erosion and pollution in our waterways and coasts.

“It is only right that we support the UAE’s forward-thinking initiative by planting 1 million mangrove trees over the course of 10 years right here within Jubail Island.

“This planting initiative will further enhance Jubail Island position as a hub of ecotourism in Abu Dhabi as well as being an integral element of our overall landscaping plan for the island, which will be home to more than 10,000 residents when completed in late 2023.”

 

For all the latest sustainability news in Abu Dhabi, follow Yalla – Abu Dhabi Life

 

Image source Emirates News Agency (WAM) website

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Matt Cassidy

When he is not hunting for the latest piece of Abu Dhabi news, Matt is ticking off his UAE bucket-list experiences (although he does love to take a break to test out the fine restaurants and bars of the capital). An armchair sports lover, he is on a personal mission to attend every sporting event in the UAE to make out for most likely missing the big one in Doha in November.