1,000 Sidra trees planted in Ras Al Khaimah
ras al khaimah — A thousand native Sidra trees were recently planted in a nature reserve in Al Minei, Ras Al Khaimah, during the Emirates Environmental Group’s (EEG) annual ‘For Our Emirates We Plant’ event.
Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, member of the RAK Executive Council and chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation, joined 50 companies, 24 schools and 163 families who came together to plant the indigenous trees on Tuesday. The project was part of the EEG’s Clean-Up UAE campaign.
Habiba Al Mar’ashi, chairperson of the EEG, said “the movement towards a deeper commitment to environmental protection through planting new trees and taking care of the existing ones is gaining interest across the UAE”.
“At the global level, trees and forests are closely linked with weather patterns and the maintenance of a crucial balance in nature. Hence, the task of environment protection is a universal responsibility for all of us,” she added.
As the 1,000 Sidra trees mature in five to seven years, they will be able to help curb carbon dioxide emissions by six metric tonnes every year. Since the project kicked off in 2007, the EEG had managed to plant 2.09 million indigenous trees in the UAE, resulting in the mitigation of about 12,364 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide across the country.
“Through this activity, we are working diligently towards achieving the UAE’s Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring the conservation and safeguarding of the valuable resources,” Al Mar’ashi said.
In his opening speech, Sheikh Salem said: “The trees planted in this Sidra nature reserve will help save more than one billion bees. We thank EEG for its support and its perseverance to engage the different sectors of society together for a better environment.”
Sidra trees, which have grown in the region’s deserts for thousands of years, serve as a meaningful anchor for the UAE’s heritage. Standing tall even amid harsh weather conditions, they have become a symbol of perseverance and determination for the country.
Several species also take shelter in these trees, including native bees that feed on their pollen, thus producing the nutritious Sidra honey.
The trees planted in this Sidra nature reserve will help save more than one billion bees.”
Sheikh Salem bin Sultan din Saqr Al Qasimi, member of the RAK Executive Council
Trees and forests are closely linked with weather patterns and the balance in nature.”
Habiba Al Mar’ashi, chairperson, EEG