MOCCAE Launches Mangroves Through Youth Lens Initiative To Empower Young Environmental Ambassadors

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has introduced an initiative called ‘Mangroves Through Youth Lens’. This project, in collaboration with the Global Youth Programme and Nikon Middle East, aims to merge creative arts with environmental efforts. It involves organising professional photo-walks in the UAE’s key mangrove reserves.

This initiative is a practical move towards achieving the goals of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), co-launched by the UAE and Indonesia. The Alliance now includes over 45 member countries, all committed to expanding mangrove planting globally as an effective nature-based solution to climate issues.

The programme seeks to empower young individuals aged 15 to 35 from various nationalities. It offers a comprehensive experience combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Participants will start with an environmental awareness workshop led by MOCCAE biodiversity experts, focusing on mangroves' role in ecosystem balance.

Following this, there will be a professional training session on "Wildlife Photography" using Nikon cameras, conducted by the Nikon Youth Programme team. The experience culminates in a field tour of protected areas, allowing participants to capture the beauty of mangrove forests and biodiversity through their lenses.

The initiative aligns with MOCCAE's efforts to increase community awareness about mangroves' ecological importance. These ecosystems are vital for carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and supporting biodiversity. By engaging young people in visual storytelling, the programme aims to highlight these environmental values.

Hajar Bakhit Alketbi, Director of Government Communication at MOCCAE, emphasised that this initiative is part of the Ministry’s strategy to enhance environmental education through innovative artistic tools. Alketbi stated, "At the Ministry, we believe that awareness is the cornerstone of environmental action, and that images are the most truthful and impactful medium for conveying the message."

Collaborative Efforts for Sustainability

Alketbi also expressed delight in partnering with Nikon Middle East. This collaboration underscores the private sector's crucial role in supporting environmental initiatives. She added that they anticipate creative content showcasing the UAE’s environmental identity while building on Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's legacy of nature preservation.

The initiative encourages youth interested in photography and the environment to register via a provided link. Spaces are limited to 15-20 participants per tour to ensure quality training experiences. Morning tours are scheduled from 7:00 to 10:00 AM on weekends throughout December at various locations across the UAE.

Scheduled Tours Across UAE

Tours will occur at Jubail Park in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, December 13; Jabal Ali Sanctuary in Dubai on Sunday, December 14; Al Zorah Nature Reserve in Ajman on Saturday, December 20; concluding at Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre in Sharjah on Sunday, December 21.

This initiative not only fosters creativity but also equips young people to become active environmental ambassadors. By combining artistic talent with environmental knowledge, it embeds sustainability into everyday life for future generations.

With inputs from WAM