Abu Dhabi To Tag 100,000 Trees In New Programme
Abu Dhabi is taking significant strides towards sustainability and the preservation of natural heritage with its native tree-tagging programme. In a move that reinforces Abu Dhabi's commitment to environmental leadership, the programme has been expanded to include all native trees in the emirate's wild habitats and natural reserves. The initiative, which aims to tag 100,000 native trees, is a joint effort with strategic partners and covers species such as ghaf, samar, and sidr trees.
The programme's reach extends beyond natural and protected areas to city parks, urban spaces, and agricultural zones, with the collaboration of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT). This comprehensive approach is designed to collect data on tree status, aligning with standards that facilitate integration with the databases of the Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD).
Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, highlighted the programme's alignment with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for sustainability and environmental protection. The extension of the Year of Sustainability into 2024 reflects the country's ongoing commitment to a sustainable future. Dr Al Dhaheri noted the programme's global significance, aiming to tag all native trees within the Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network.
Ahmed Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, underscored the programme's role in preserving Abu Dhabi's natural treasures. Since its inception in November 2023, the initiative has successfully tagged over 17,000 trees. However, native trees face challenges from climate change, illegal activities, and other pressures that hinder natural regeneration.
To combat these challenges, EAD has implemented awareness campaigns about the legal repercussions of harming native trees, as outlined in EAD's Board Resolution No. (2) of 2021. Identification tags, available in multiple languages, have been placed on trees to deter illegal activities and enforce environmental laws.
The tree-tagging initiative also aims to enhance data quality and knowledge about the status of native trees. By gathering detailed information for use in specialised data collection and geographic linking applications, the programme facilitates real-time reporting on progress. Additionally, EAD plans to collaborate with partners to electronically code over 20 million trees in forests and along highway belts, further advancing the agency's environmental database and reporting capabilities.
Sign in with Google