MOCCAE Involves Female Students In Planting Native Trees At Wadi Wurayah National Park For Sustainability

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) recently organised an event in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Education, Emirates Nature-WWF, and the Fujairah Environment Authority. Female students participated in planting native trees at Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah. This initiative is part of the 'Plant the Emirates' National Programme, which aims to boost agricultural development, enhance food security, and expand green spaces across the UAE.

Hajar Bakhit Alketbi, Director of Government Communications at MOCCAE, highlighted the programme's goal to involve all societal segments in improving national food security. "We are pleased to involve female students in planting local trees to familiarise them with these species and their ecological significance. Additionally, we aim to teach them planting techniques, which will serve as a valuable addition to their skills and experience. This knowledge can then be applied to foster afforestation and agricultural activities, while also enabling them to share these skills with their peers and communities," she stated.

Hessa Al Awadhi from the Ministry of Education emphasised the importance of integrating agriculture into students' education. The ministry is committed to raising awareness about agriculture's significance and developing students' skills for future sector investment. Collaborating with stakeholders ensures that students gain practical knowledge alongside academic learning.

Dr. Ali Al Hamoudi from the Fujairah Environment Authority reiterated their dedication to working with society to achieve 'Plant the Emirates' goals. "Our wise leadership has been fostering agriculture through visionary decisions and initiatives since the establishment of the UAE. From the beginning, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan encouraged us to focus on agriculture as a pillar for building a civilised country with a strong foundation," he noted.

Arabella Willing from Emirates Nature-WWF expressed gratitude for partnerships that support conservation efforts. "We are incredibly grateful to our partners — MOCCAE, the Ministry of Education, and FEA — for collaborating with us on this event, which is part of our Leaders of Change programme," she said. This programme involves over 150 events annually and engages more than 5,000 changemakers in nature restoration activities.

The event saw thirty female students from Al Marefaa C2 Girls School participating alongside representatives from various organisations. They planted seedlings of Ghaf, Sidr, Samar, and Moringa trees while learning about these species' life cycles and care techniques.

Biodiversity at Wadi Wurayah

Wadi Wurayah National Park is located within Fujairah's Hajar Mountain range and spans 220 square kilometres. It boasts unique biodiversity with approximately 860 animal and plant species, including 208 plant varieties. The park is home to rare wildlife such as Blandford's foxes and Gordon's wildcats.

This protected area offers stunning landscapes featuring rocky cliffs, rivers, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife habitats. It serves as a sanctuary for endangered bird species—94 have been recorded—and hosts 22 out of 24 known wild dragonfly species in the UAE.

The park's natural beauty attracts both conservation enthusiasts and tourists alike who seek remarkable experiences amidst its breathtaking scenery.

With inputs from WAM