BAHRAIN’S major afforestation plan took new shoots with the plantation of the 100,000th mangrove seedling.
A ceremony was held to celebrate the success the kingdom’s Green Bahrain campaign in the southern area of Ras Al Mutla yesterday.
It was held under the patronage of National Security Adviser, Supreme Defence Council secretary general and Royal Guard Commander Lieutenant General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
The BDF’s Royal Guard carried out the ceremony in co-operation with the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry as part of the national afforestation plan.
Lt Gen Shaikh Nasser was received on arrival by Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Minister Wael Al Mubarak, Oil and Environment Minister Dr Mohammed Bin Daina, who is the kingdom’s special envoy for climate affairs, Works Minister Ibrahim Al Hawaj, Cabinet Affairs Minister Hamad Al Malki and other officials.
Lt Gen Shaikh Nasser toured a photo gallery documenting the stages of cultivation of the mangrove oasis in the Ras Al Mutla area.
He watched a brief film about the stages of cultivation, which included 100,000 seedlings that were planted in several stages, including levelling and preparing the land.
Marine channels were set up and berms built to prepare the site as one of the main habitats for birds, marine organisms and wildlife in the Southern Governorate, as part of the national programme to multiply mangroves by 400 per cent by 2035.
Lt Gen Shaikh Nasser then planted the 100,000th mangrove seedling, as the project aims to preserve marine life and ecosystem balance due to the great and effective benefits of these plants in combating climate change.
He noted that the project is part of efforts to achieve the goals of the comprehensive and sustainable development march led by His Majesty King Hamad, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
He underlined the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister, for the national afforestation plan aimed at doubling the number of trees in Bahrain, increasing the green area and achieving environmental balance.
He stressed Bahrain’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2035 and reaching zero carbon neutrality in 2060, which was launched at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), which was translated into a number of initiatives from including the expansion of the cultivation of mangroves.
Lt Gen Shaikh Nasser praised the directives of BDF Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa to harness all efforts to ensure the success of the vital eco-project.
He described the ambitious programme as a key milestone in Bahrain, stressing the importance of mitigating the effects of climate change in a symbiotic manner at all levels.
He highlighted the need to provide an incubating environment for fish and marine life, and for birds, especially migratory birds that are abundant in Bahrain and that feed on shrimp that live and are raised in the area rich in mangroves.
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