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The Ministry of Environment (MoE) has launched a major campaign to afforest many of the wild areas of Qatar as part of its initiatives to celebrate Tree Week. |
Over 200 trees were planted at Simaisma near Al Khor yesterday and another four locations have been identified for the plantation.
Many officials from the ministry took part in the tree plantation drive led by Yousef Khalid al-Khulaifi, director of the Agricultural Affairs Department, MoE. Officials from the local administration of the area were also present on the occasion.
Speaking to Gulf Times, al-Khulaifi said the plantation drive was organised to provide more greenery in Qatar. “The trees are planted in a particular area called Roudha, which is very suitable for afforestation. A Roudha is the best land in the country - fertile and suitable for these purposes. There is always a facility for the rainwater to reach this place. But, of course, there were not enough rains in Qatar in the last couple of years and many of these plants dried out in these areas.”
The official said five particular Roudhas at different locations in the country have been identified for this year’s plantation. The number of trees vary according to the expanse of each Roudha. “In some places we may plant 100 trees while at another, the number can be more. We can even plant around 400 trees at one particular place.”
The official further said only local trees have been chosen for the plantation. “This is because the local plants need less water and can face the weather conditions better than other plants. Moreover, they do not need much care, unlike other trees,” he said.
Al-Khulaifi highlighted that all the plants have been nurtured in the nurseries of the ministry. The trees that are planted are Ghaf, Salam, Sidir, Sant, Awsaj and others that are native to Qatar. The tree plantation will be completed this week with more trees being planted in other areas. “This year, we are planting only in these five areas that are already identified. But the campaign will continue and there will be many more initiatives in the coming months. We will go ahead with the campaign in the coming years and we will plant more trees in other areas, too.”
Al-Khulaifi added that there will be related programmes in the Industrial Area and Ras Laffan in the coming days.