RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to achieve its target of planting 100 million mangrove trees by 2030 under the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 plan.
Saudi Arabia's National Centre for Combating Desertification and Developing Vegetation Cover recently reported that around 13 million mangrove seedlings have been planted since the ambitious coastal forest cover programme was launched a year ago, Saudi Press Agency said.
Marine scientists say mangroves work in tandem with coral reefs and seagrass beds to keep coastal areas healthy. (SPA)
Most of the projects reported by NCVC are currently being carried out along the Kingdom’s Red Sea coast, with Jazan Governorate topping the list with 5.5 million seedlings, followed by Makkah Governorate with 2.4 million, Madinah with 2 million, Tabuk with 1.5 million and Asir with 1 million.
According to the report, half a million tree seedlings were planted in the eastern province along the Arabian Gulf coast.
But before officially launching the project along the Arabian Gulf, the center said 700,000 saplings had already been planted, including 200,000 on Ras Abu Ali Island in Jubail province and 500,000 in Al Wazi province.
“The project includes fencing and tree management to protect the tree from birds and seaweed, and to protect the site from grazing and encroachment,” the SPA reported.
NCVC and Asir Regional Development Authority also launched the “Mangrove Restoration” programme on Wednesday to mark the UN’s International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, which is observed annually on July 26.
Planting mangroves in Al-Barak governorate in Asir region. (SPA)
Campaign participants planted 500 mangrove saplings on the beach of Al-Barak governorate. The event was led by Al-Barak governor Abdullah bin Ali bin Muhya and mayor Nasser Saeed Al-Shahrani.
The SPA reported that the aim was to raise awareness about the importance of planting and protecting mangrove forests in the face of climate change and global warming.
Marine scientists say mangroves work together with seagrass beds and coral reefs to keep coastal areas healthy.
They have been found to provide essential habitat for thousands of species, stabilize coastlines, prevent erosion, and protect communities from waves and storms.
According to the American Museum of Natural History, “about 75 percent of commercially caught fish spend time in mangroves or depend on food chains that can lead them up the coastal forests.”
In many countries suffering from severe mangrove destruction, declines in fish stocks continue to be recorded.
