UAE students take pledge to plant over 5,000 trees

Students of Gems Modern Academy plant the seeds of the Ghaf tree as part of 'Give a Ghaf' programme.

On Monday morning around 800 students took part in a movement to make UAE a cleaner and greener place.
For a fresh and healthy environment in UAE, Electrolux (a home appliance company) and Gems Academy joined hand for the third time and pledged to plant over 5,000 trees all over UAE.
This is the third year of the 'Ghaf Programme' marking a total of 15,000 trees over a three year programme, which was created to raise public awareness about the national tree and its values, while encouraging people to plant indigenous trees and raising awareness on water scarcity. The event started with the UAE National Anthem followed by 800 school students planting seeds.
Lorenzo Milani, appointed CEO of Electrolux Middle East and Africa said: "Children are the future of the society and the nation, there cannot be a better way to include them in the mission to save the nature and the country. This programme not only aims at making UAE more beautiful place but also instill right values in the kids so that they can contribute their bit in making it more environment friendly. We want to take this initiative to a bigger level by including many more schools."
The function concluded with everyone taking oath to plant the ghaf trees in the country and making 2017 a special year in terms of giving.
Know the Ghaf tree
The national tree is a major source of living for over 30 desert species and needs very little water, half litre a day in summer and all its parts could be used for different purposes. The endangered Ghaf Tree is seen as a regional symbol of wellbeing.
ankita@khaleejtimes.com