Media personnel were taken on a field visit to the Arad Bay Protected Area and Park marking International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, observed today.
The event was organised by the Supreme Council for the Environment and the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry in co-ordination with the National Communication Centre (NCC) on Thursday.
The day aims to raise awareness about the crucial role of mangrove ecosystems and promote their sustainable management, conservation and use.
During the visit, participants were educated on the importance of mangroves in Bahrain, and on the kingdom’s vision for a greener future.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry’s local agriculture production director Jaafar Al Tajer affirmed that Bahrain will continue to diligently implement plans and projects that contribute to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. “Mangrove trees are among the most vital natural solutions to combat climate change,” said Mr Al Tajer.
“They absorb carbon dioxide, improve water quality and provide a rich habitat for marine life. The trees are a crucial part of integrated national efforts to enhance marine afforestation and preserve coastal ecosystems.”
NCC deputy chief executive for communication and operations Dr Mohamed Al Shaaban told the GDN that the visit “aimed to bring together representatives from the national media to shed light on the kingdom’s efforts and actions in combating climate change.”
“It also sheds light on the Bahrain Mangroves Initiative, launched by Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, which aims to significantly increase mangrove coverage in the kingdom,” said Dr Al Shaaban.
“This includes quadrupling the number of mangroves in the kingdom by 2035, and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.”
The initiative comes as part of Bahrain’s broader strategy to enhance environmental sustainability and align with international agreements like the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It also involves raising community awareness about the importance of mangroves, fostering partnerships and promoting sustainable practices.
The SCE, along with the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, is actively involved in implementing key environmental initiatives.
Dr Al Shaaban praised the role of the media in raising public awareness and shedding light on national success stories in regards to environmental sustainability.
“It is critical to build community partnerships when it comes to important environmental issues,” he said.
“Today, we gave the media and other attendees an opportunity to look at the role that mangroves play in environmental preservation due to their unique environmental and ecological properties.
“They have the ability to absorb high amounts of carbon dioxide, which helps in reducing the effect of global warming. At the same time, they act as natural barriers to protect the shorelines from erosion, and support rich biodiversity by providing natural habitats for different species of birds.”
The GDN reported last year that Bahrain is home to some of the oldest mangrove forests in the GCC region, according to a recently completed study based on satellite imagery for the past 37 years. The study found that only 8.5 per cent of secondary mangroves in the GCC region are more than 30 years old, while 41.3pc are younger than five years.
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