Bahrain’s ambitious greenery efforts are being scrutinised with a determination to get to the root of any problems encountered as a national drive to double the number of trees in the kingdom from 1.8 million to 3.6 million by 2035 is quickened, councillors heard.
Already solutions are now in place to overcome infrastructure problems, lifespan longevity, plant choice and summer watering issues.
Northern Municipality director-general and acting Muharraq Municipality director general Lamya Al Fadhala told Northern Municipal Council members at their meeting, for example, that it was now common practice to have experts from the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) on site before planting commences.
This ensures any deep-rooted trees do not harm infrastructure in any way as they mature over the years to come.
Ms Al Fadhala also pointed out that trees planted in schools that had previously withered and suffered over the long summer holiday closures were now tended by agriculture experts.
She also highlighted that potential tummy trouble issues had been thwarted with a ban on fruit trees to ensure that people did not pick ripe fruit to munch that could be harmful to their health because treated sewage water had been used for irrigation.
“We have come up with collective measures between ministries and government bodies – precise solutions to ensure that the national drive continues as intended to reach 3.6m trees by 2035,” said Ms Al Fadhala.
“We want to quicken up the pace of the drive, but this has to come with rational approaches that do not harm infrastructure, the plants’ lifespan or people’s health,” she said.
“Now whenever trees are planted we have to dig deep holes in the presence of EWA experts to ensure electricity and water networks are not affected by deep roots or get damaged during the planting process,” she said.
“Speaking about damage, trees that have wilted or died during the summer holiday, which we planted in schools, will be now watered and checked by us whenever students are on vacation.
“In regard to trees, the Cabinet has approved a list of types so there are no fruit trees, because many people tend to take ripe ones for consumption and the water used for irrigation isn’t good for their health with it mainly being treated sewage water.”
Northern Municipality parks and gardens head Hussain Al Saffar said planting plans are often subject to change.
“Sometimes we may want to start planting work but we get alerted by the Works Ministry there is a future road expansion or a call from the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry that the space is now booked for the Bahrain Metro or a cycling track,” he said.
“It is not always easy, but we are on track, as we are flexible and open to change.
“Last year, we planted 49,137 trees as a municipal authority and in partnership with the private sector and this year we planted 47,403 trees so far, including on the King Fahad Causeway.”
He said the plan to plant trees around government properties and buildings was also increasing with the signing of new partnerships.
“We have already drawn up plans for 2024 and 2025 to cover Duraz, Barbar, Janabiya, Buri, Hamala and Demistan and are awaiting final permission from those concerned and the allocation of budgets,” he added.
As reported earlier by the GDN, the trees planted can tolerate less watering, high salinity in the soil, can absorb high levels of emitted gases, and lower the temperature of their surroundings by providing large shaded areas.
The green initiatives aim to expand the green areas and achieve an environmental balance as part of Bahrain’s continuous efforts to reduce carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2035, and reach zero neutrality in 2060.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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