Kingdom on track to achieve green goals
Bahrain’s success in achieving 100 per cent of its annual afforestation goal, by planting 110,000 seedlings of mangrove trees and 140,000 trees across governorates, has been highlighted.
This came as His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, yesterday met Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak.
HRH Prince Salman was briefed by Mr Al Mubarak on the latest developments in the kingdom’s afforestation plan, a move to achieve the kingdom’s commitment to reach net-zero neutrality by 2060, and mitigating global climate challenges and environmental degradation.
Mr Al Mubarak also reviewed illustrative maps of this year’s accomplishments, following HRH Prince Salman’s directives of quadrupling mangrove coverage and doubling tree coverage across the Kingdom.
The Crown Prince and Prime Minister highlighted the kingdom’s commitment to raise climate and environmental awareness through initiatives, policies and programmes aimed at strengthening climate-smart sustainable development.
He emphasised the importance of ensuring government agencies prioritise environmental preservation and resource sustainability when implementing various projects and development plans, in accordance with the kingdom’s comprehensive development goals, led by His Majesty King Hamad.
He stressed the importance of continuing to develop the agricultural sector, as part of efforts to address climate challenges locally and achieve the kingdom’s green transition goals.
Bahrain’s afforestation plan aims to double the number of trees by 2035, with mangrove trees increasing fourfold in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change goals (COP26).
The plan also includes a number of initiatives, such as increasing the number of trees under government projects, encouraging community collaboration to maximise green space, introducing policies that support afforestation, and encouraging individuals to participate in afforestation.
Meanwhile, the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) announced the inauguration of the second phase of the National Afforestation Campaign, ‘Forever Green’, at five vital sites in the Capital and Muharraq governorates.
With the launch of the second phase, NIAD aims to carry on its efforts to achieve the aspirations of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of the King and NIAD advisory board chairperson, and to support the kingdom’s strategies to increase the green area through co-ordination with public and private sectors.
A total of 25,000 trees and shrubs will be planted at more than 40 sites across the kingdom to contribute to achieving the objectives of the National Afforestation Strategy.
The Bahrain National Holding Company supported the afforestation of the Dry Dock Highway, which was selected for being close to the Bahrain International Airport and a number of residential, commercial and industrial areas.
The inauguration of the second phase of Forever Green also included the afforestation of an avenue that is adjacent to the Financial Harbour, and the walkway of the Sitra Mall in the Capital Governorate, with the support of Infracorp.
Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1146499/Kingdom-on-track-to-achieve-green-goals
