The mangrove green belt project of Qatar is developing fast, contributing greatly to the "Plant Ten Million Trees" initiative, which aims at preserving the environment and addressing climate change, said a top official.
“Mangrove forests in Qatar increased from two square kilometers in Al Zakhira to over 14 square kilometers stretching in the coastal areas of Al Khor, Al Zakhira, Al Ruwais and Ras Matbakh because of the green belt project,” said Dr. Engineer Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari, an environmental expert and engineering consultant in the office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC).
Speaking to Qatar TV yesterday, he said that the project is very important amid state efforts to increase the green spaces by tree plantations in the country. “We target to plant 10 million trees by 2030, and mangrove green belts will be part of this initiative,” said Al Kuwari.
He added that the mangrove green belt has many benefits, such as capturing massive amounts of carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. “Mangrove forests stabilize the coastline, reducing erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides. The intricate root system of mangroves also makes these forests attractive to fish and other organisms seeking food and shelter from predators to ensure food security.”
“Today, the whole world is feeling the heat and the noticeable rise in temperature in reality, which causes many problems, including drought, desertification, forest fires, the melting of ice, which in fact causes floods, and the rise in sea level. All environmental disasters caused by global warming and high temperatures,” said Al Kuwari.
He said that the whole world is undertaking initiatives and projects to address these environmental disasters.
“In my view, tree plantation and caring is the greatest buffer that we may have to combat climate changes because the tree is the one that absorbs carbon dioxide that pollutes the air, gives oxygen, and preserves moisture in the soil, reducing desertification and drought,” he noted.
Qatar has mangrove forests in a total stretch of 14 square kilometers in its coastal areas at Al Zakhira, Al Khor, Al Shamal and other parts of the country.
Mangroves’ capacity to store carbon, up to five times more than upland tropical forests, makes them a powerful natural solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change.
Given the great environmental importance of mangrove trees in Qatar, in addition to their various economic, social and tourism benefits, MoECC is working to preserve and protect mangrove trees and prevent their excessive exploitation, in addition to applying the best practices for their development.
The mangrove forests in Qatar are one of the country’s environmental wonders and are a carbon reservoir that protects the earth.
Most of the mangrove forests in Qatar are located along the eastern coast, the largest of these forests is in the Al Zakhira area, north of Al Khor City, and consists of different types such as Marina Ibn Sina, also known as gray mangrove.
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