Bahrain has significantly expanded its green cover over the last three years with Muharraq registering the biggest increase of 116 per cent, it has emerged.
Capital, Northern and Southern governorates have boosted greenery by 53pc, 37pc and 21pc respectively.
The details were revealed by the National Space Science Agency (NSSA) marking World Environment Day.
“We are witnessing remarkable progress in increasing our green coverage,” the NSSA explained in a statement.
“Between 2020 and 2023, we observed an incredible percentage increase in green areas, thanks to the combined efforts of dedicated entities and our impactful Forever Green campaign.
“By planting trees and nurturing their growth, we’ve taken significant steps towards combating the effects of climate change. Together, we’re creating a greener, healthier planet for generations to come.”
Thousands of trees and shrubs are being planted across Bahrain as part of the ‘Forever Green’ campaign.
The second phase of the campaign (October 2022 to June last year) resulted in the planting of 50,814 trees and shrubs on an area of 13,589 square metres and 10,288 linear metres. It also witnessed the completion of 57 afforestation projects in public parks, walkways, public transport stations, health centres, schools, parking lots, waterfronts and streets in various governorates.
Meanwhile, green-hearted students, activists and organisations from across the kingdom came together to mark World Environment Day.
The day, celebrated on June 5 every year since being introduced by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1973, has become a global platform for inspiring environmental change, with participation from more than 150 countries.
“For this year, Saudi Arabia was the host for the 2024 World Environment Day global celebrations,” a UNEP spokesperson said, in a statement.
“This year’s World Environment Day campaign focused on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience under the slogan ‘Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration’.”
The international day celebrates environmental action and the power of governments, businesses and individuals to create a more sustainable world.
The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) participated in the University of Technology Bahrain’s World Environment Day ceremony, which took place in the presence of NIAD secretary-general Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa.
The World Health Organisation office in Bahrain organised a wellness activity involving painting clay pots and planting seeds.
In addition, the Shura Council and the Capital Governorate organised a tree-planting campaign.
The planting, which took place at the Shura Council’s premises in Gudaibiya, was in line with the national tree-planting plan aimed at doubling the number of trees in Bahrain by 2035, and the Capital Governorate’s goal of being declared a WHO-certified Healthy Governorate.
It is also part of the Capital Governorate’s ‘Green Capital’ initiative which aims to increase the number of green spaces in Manama and its surrounding areas, while promoting environmental and agricultural awareness.
Meanwhile, the Indian School Bahrain organised tree planting events at both its junior campus in Sitra and senior campus in Isa Town. “During the event, children pledged that their small actions could make a significant impact on protecting the earth and saving the environment,” the school added, in a statement.
The ceremony was attended by a number of ISB management members including chairman Binu Mannil Varghese, secretary V Rajapandian, principal V R Palaniswamy, junior wing principal Pamela Xavier as well as academic administration vice-principal G Satheesh.
One of the kingdom’s largest expatriate clubs Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam’s (BKS) garden club also marked the day with a planting of tree saplings at its premises in Segaya.
It was attended by BKS president P V Radhakrishna Pillai along with general secretary Varghese Karakkal, vice president Dileesh Kumar, treasurer Devdas Kunnath, assistant secretary Mahesh Gopalakrishna Pillai and garden club convener Ashok Kumar.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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