Directors-General of the Dubai Government participate in the “Planting 20,000 Trees” initiative

In celebration of the twentieth anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, assuming the reins of government in Dubai, and embodying the vision of His Highness, which made sustainability an established approach and environmental work a shared national and societal responsibility, a number of general directors and executive directors of the Dubai government participated in the “Planting 20,000 Trees” initiative, launched by Dubai Municipality and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai.

This came during a special event organized in the Qur’anic Park in Dubai, in cooperation with “Furjan Dubai”, the community partner of the initiative, with the participation of the Secretary-General of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti, the Director-General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, His Excellency Hessa bint Issa Buhumaid, the Director-General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al-Falasi, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Knowledge Fund Foundation and member of the Steering Committee of “Dubai Schools” Ahmed Julfar, and the Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services. Mishal Julfar, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, His Excellency Dr. Alawi Al-Sheikh Ali, Director-General of the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority, Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani, Director-General of the Dubai Land Department, Omar Bushahab, Director-General of the General Department of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, Lieutenant-General Mohammed Ahmed Al-Marri, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, Engineer Marwan bin Ghalita, and Director-General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, Aisha Miran. A number of school and university students and residents of residential neighborhoods in Dubai also participated in the event.

During the event, participants planted a number of trees, as part of efforts to increase green spaces and agricultural beautification in the Emirate of Dubai, and provide a healthy environment that enhances the quality of life, which contributes to achieving the goals of the urban environment axis within the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033.

Wise and inspiring leadership
The officials participating in the event said: “Our celebration today comes within the “Planting 20,000 Trees” initiative, as an affirmation of appreciation and loyalty to the 20-year journey of the wise and inspiring leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, which established a clear vision for promoting a clean and healthy environment through specific initiatives aimed at increasing the green area in Dubai, and consolidating the culture of preserving nature and resources for future generations.”

They stressed that the initiative represents an inspiring model for integrating the efforts of government agencies with the local community, which contributes to achieving a long-term environmental impact, and reflects Dubai’s commitment to national initiatives that support sustainability and preserve the emirate’s distinct identity at the urban level.

A comprehensive plan for Dubai Municipality
Dubai Municipality plays a pivotal role in implementing the “Planting 20,000 Trees” initiative, by providing the necessary seedlings and ensuring their diversity to include ornamental trees such as: Ghaf, Neem, Poinciana, Beltrum, Albizia and Hibiscus, in addition to fruit trees such as Sidr, Tamarind, Guava, Fig and Aloe Vera, in addition to a group of shrubs including Tabobia, Jatropha, Palm Maryam, Tecuma and Cassia Darari.

The municipality has identified a number of gardens to carry out agricultural work, including Al Barsha South, Al Barsha Lake, Al Nakheel in Al Awir, the Qur’anic Garden in Al Khawaneej, the Al Mizhar District 2 Garden, the Rose Garden in Nad Al Sheba, Al Safa Garden in Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim Park, Al Quoz Lake Park, and Al Warqa 3 Park.

In implementing the initiative, the municipality relies on the latest sustainable agricultural technologies, through the installation of advanced smart irrigation systems, which rely on placing pumps underground to take advantage of overhead spaces, and the possibility of linking to a remote control system using Internet of Things technologies to monitor and adjust pumping stations accurately, ensuring sustainability and efficiency in water consumption and achieving the best results in tree growth.

The municipality’s efforts include a comprehensive plan to monitor planted trees in the long term, which includes periodic monitoring of the condition of the trees and providing all necessary care to ensure their healthy and sound growth. The municipality has also designated a communication line in its call center to receive inquiries related to the initiative, and to provide support and guidance to educational institutions and members of the local community, in a way that enhances the success of the initiative and contributes to achieving its environmental and social goals.

Involving schools and universities
While the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai supervises inviting schools and universities to contribute to the “Planting 20,000 Trees” initiative, by facilitating their participation and enabling students and the educational community to contribute effectively to the initiative’s activities. The Authority is coordinating with the Dubai Municipality team to arrange the delivery of seedlings directly to participating schools and universities, in addition to providing the necessary support and guidance to ensure that the planting process is carried out in an orderly and safe manner, and to enhance the participation of the school community in efforts to enhance the green area and sustainable environmental values.

An active role for “Firjan Dubai”
The “Furjan Dubai” Foundation, the community partner of the initiative, is also coordinating the participation of residents of residential neighborhoods in community agriculture activities, organizing field events in a number of areas, promoting them through Al Furjan’s digital accounts, and introducing the sites for receiving seedlings in residential neighborhoods, which contributes to enhancing community participation.

Furjan Dubai allocates a number of volunteers to contribute to the farming operations and provide support and guidance to participants from the local community, in addition to spreading environmental awareness among members of different neighborhoods.

The initiative to plant 20,000 trees aims to create a long-term environmental and societal impact that contributes to enhancing the quality of life and consolidating Dubai’s position as a global leader in sustainable development. It also seeks to support afforestation efforts in the emirate in line with national strategies, and to enhance the participation of government agencies, educational institutions and the local community in joint national action, in addition to establishing a culture of environmental responsibility among individuals and future generations, and enabling the community to participate in building a greener and more sustainable future for the Emirate of Dubai.