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.
Jubail Island to expand its urban green space by supporting UAE's initiative with plans to plant 1 million mangrove trees over next decade#WamNews https://t.co/yowznwfYf2 pic.twitter.com/1NPJB8SHmp
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) January 17, 2022
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.”
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