Boost for UAE's green campaign, as 2,000 native Sidra, Ghaf trees were planted in Dubai, RAK

Dubai - 641 entities, including 92 companies, 36 schools, 56 individuals and 184 families take part in annual drive that was launched in 2007

Around 2,000 trees were planted across the emirates of Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) in a bid to protect the environment from global warming.

The annual tree planting campaign -- called “For Our Emirates We Plant” -- was conducted by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) on Sunday (December 20).

The response to the campaign was overwhelming, as 641 entities, including 92 companies, 36 schools, 56 individuals and 184 families took part.

The UAE’s indigenous Ghaf and Sidra trees that not only represent the heritage of the nation but can also survive and thrive in the harsh desert conditions were planted on the occasion by environment-friendly people.

The trees will attain maturity between five and seven years, and will help lessen over 31 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide, which are released to the atmosphere annually.

The plantation drive was carried out early in the morning on Sunday at Skheiber and Al Minae in RAK. Around 1,000 trees indigenous to the UAE were planted on the occasion.

The second initiative was organised in association with Dubai Municipality and Saih Al Salam Protected Area Management, at Saih Al Salam and Al Qudra in Dubai, where another 1,000 trees were planted.

Millions of indigenous trees were planted by the EEG since the campaign was launched in 2007.

Data showed that 2,100,789 indigenous and desert-tolerant plants were planted across the UAE since the inception of the campaign to spread ecological awareness.

These trees sequester 12,388 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, which work out to 2,564 less cars from roads in a year.

Sidr and Ghaf trees are known for withstanding extreme weather conditions of the desert.

Sidr is a natural habitat for bees.