QBG holds wild desert plant restoration event
Qatar Foundation entity marks UN World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought The QBG has planted 1,443 native trees in 2021 as part of its ecosystem restoration efforts
The Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), the first garden in the world to exhibit all plant species mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, Hadith and Sunnah, marked the United Nations (UN) World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought recently with a wild desert plant restoration event at Rawdat Al Faras in Al Nasraniya.
In celebration of this day, the QBG planted 15 trees of the Samor, Salma and Sidr varieties in their natural habitats, all of which are mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and Hadith and native to the Rawdat ecosystem at the Rawdat Al Faras restoration site.
The seeds for these plants were collected from environmental areas in Qatar that face the pressures of land degradation, camping, grazing and infrastructure development, and then germinated and propagated by the QBG team at its Conservation Centre.
The event, which is listed on the UN Convention to Combat
Desertification online world map, was meant to inspire communities in Qatar and around the world to take action to prevent, halt and reverse land degradation.
Held in line with the United Nations’ SDGs (sustainable development goals), the environmental pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030) and the QBG’s goal of restoring wild plants in their natural habitats, combating desertification, and co-operating with the local community to support its commitment to preserving the nation’s environment, plants and fungal natural resources, the activity aims to contribute towards creating a greener Qatar and healthier planet for the generations to come.
As part of its ecosystem restoration efforts, the QBG has planted 1,443 native trees in 2021 alone.
QBG director Fatima al-Khulaifi said: “The UN World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an exceptionally important occasion for the QBG and one that reminds us of the necessity of protecting our planet.”
“At the heart of this event is the QBG’s commitment to sustainability, environmental protection and the preservation of our planet’s natural resources for the generations to come,” she said. “Across the country, we work closely with important stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, to rehabilitate endemic plants and plant wild trees in their desert habitats to reduce carbon emissions and limit desertification in Qatar.”
Additionally, in a bid to support the Environmental Development Pillar of QNV2030, protect ecosystems and empower community members to be active contributors to these efforts, the QBG recently launched its freeof-charge “Home Garden Phone Helpline”.
The initiative enables the public to pose any home gardening questions directly to QBG experts by calling 3091 8519 every Monday from 9am-12.30pm, and every Wednesday from 12.30pm2.30pm.