The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah, in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, is organizing an afforestation campaign for the Al Qurm protected area in Kalba to take place on 4th February, National Environment Day. The afforestation falls under the slogan “Green Recovery” and its aim is to promote the importance of sustainability and environmental protection.  The authority was keen to establish this initiative in line with the UAE’s strategy to plant 30 million of mangrove seedlings by 2023 with the aim of improving the natural absorption of carbon and strengthening the coastal ecosystem and its sustainability. This interest in mangroves came due to their role in mitigating climate change. And the results of the BlueCarbon Awareness  Project showed that mangroves in the UAE sequester more than one million tons of carbon dioxide.

Strengthening the ecosystem and achieving sustainability

Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of Environment and Protected Areas Authority, (EPAA), said “National Environment Day is one of the most important national environmental awareness programmes, and EPAA is keen to celebrate it with a number of activities which raise awareness and impart education. This year, we are pleased to be organizing this afforestation initiative in the Al Qurm protected area in Kalbaby planting 200 mangrove seedlings and through the campaign to be expressing our national commitment to preserving the emirate of Sharjah’s natural resources and making efforts to protect our environment.”

She drew attention to the importance of environmental education and awareness in the authority’s plans and strategies, with a focus on community education through educational lectures and workshops. In line with this, the launch of the Sharjah Sustainability Award in 2012 sees a number of school students, members of the educational and administrative staff, and students from universities awarded every year for their innovative projects. The Award aims to foster the spirit of competition between different student sectors in schools and universities and encourages innovation through various activities in a bid to spread the culture of green economy and an appreciation for the natural environment.

Her Excellency Hana Al Suwaidi added: “The plans also include many activities and events which encourage audience interaction. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have turned our attention towards the possibilities with virtual platforms, and have implemented a number of techniques and tools to successfully provide the community with educational information during unprecedented times. We have also launched several community initiatives to increase the green space, such as the afforestation initiatives at Al Muntather Reserve and Al Qurm Reserve, and our initiative to plant a tree in every home, which all contribute to strengthening the ecosystem and achieving sustainability.”

Continuing to protect ecosystems

EPAA continues to stress the importance of continuing to protect ecosystems, natural resources, and biological diversity through several means, projects, and actions, such as the study of sea turtles on Sir Bu Na’ir Island. Studies and research projects are also being conducted by the Authority, aimed at preserving desert, mountain, coastal, and marine ecosystems, in addition to the proliferation of endangered animals in the Arabian Peninsula and the conduction of breeding programmes.

EPAA’s afforestation initiative in the ALQurm protected area is an effort to promote to the community the importance of environment protection and to instil an environmental culture in the hearts of all Sharjah residents and citizens.

The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah seeks to protect the environment, natural reserves, wildlife and their biodiversity through scientific studies and research. The authority publishes educational awareness material, implements policies for environmental awareness and programs, and launches specialized campaigns in the field of environmental awareness and education.