New initiative to protect trees to be launched

Dec 5: The second phase of ‘Ashjar’ initiative, launched by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs in March this year, will kick off soon and will focus on government-private sector cooperation for protecting natural wealth.

The initiative witnessed a huge turnout of people, said an official from the Combat Desertification Centre at the ministry. ‘Ashjar’, which means ‘trees’, refers to all kinds of trees and plants. However, the initiative targets trees that grow in local soil. They are: gaf, sidr, sumr, shue, markh and qart, scientifically known as persica, nabk, acacia, ben, moringa and acacia nilotioca trees, respectively.

Saif bin Omar al Tobi, a natural reserve specialist, said the initiative is part of the Sultanate’s efforts to protect environment, maintain ecological balance and protect creatures.

“Introducing a new generation of local plants is essential because they have always been a source of treatment and shelter for many birds and animals. Such a move will help increase the green cover by making people plant seedlings at their favourite places since these trees live longer and withstand high temperatures,” said Al Tobi.

He said anyone can apply for seedlings by filling up an electronic form on the website and then receive saplings from the ministry’s nurseries located at Selil Reserve in Sharqia South, Centre for Rehabilitation and Rearing of Wildlife in Batinah South and Wild Plants Rearing Centre in Dhofar.

The applicant should be aware of proper planting procedures and provide proper soil and sufficient watering for the seedlings to grow.

The initiative draws its importance from the need to take advantage of natural treasures as well as protecting them. The trees targeted in the initiative have for long been used in traditional treatment.