Taking the green leap

TDT | Manama

Adhari Plantation Nurseries Centre, which sprawls over 30 thousand square meters, has attained self-sufficiency in helping Bahrain maintaining its green cover. The project, maintained by Ministry’s Nurseries Development section, produces up to 100,000 seedlings of seasonal summer flowers per season to support various street beautification projects.

It was earlier reported that Bahrain’s streets are set to be beautified by using one million seedlings of seasonal summer flowers produced by the Works Ministry. The nursery, Minister of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning, Essam Khalaf said, was instrumental in creating 10 thousand square meters of green areas, as it produced more than halfa-million petunias, more than three million seedlings of different varieties of seasonal flowers, as well as more than 250 thousand trees and shrubs of various types.

The project also supports the maintenance of gardens on several main streets, “such as Sheikh Isa bin Salman Street, starting from the Port of Salman to the intersection of Janabiya, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Street from the Seef intersection to the intersection of Zallaq and the intersections.”

Parks of various municipalities, governorates, street projects, governmental agencies, schools, hospitals, and NGOs are also beneficiaries of the park. “Our strategy is to enhance the number of environmentally friendly trees and shade trees appropriate for Bahrain’s climate,” the minister said adding, the production in this regard has reached more than 250 thousand seedlings and trees.

Some of the shade trees and fruit trees produced are capable of reaching more than 20 meters of height. “The yellow flame tree or the yellow poinciana tree is fast-growing and reaches up to a height of 15 to 20 meters,” the minister said. Cactus which reaches up to a height of 8 meters and Side tree up to a height of 10 meters and a width of 6 meters and having edible fruits are some of the other varieties.

He added, “The nursery also produces neem trees, which reaches a height of 15 meters. It is one of the most popular ornamental trees.” Undersecretary for Municipal Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, said the project contributed to enhancing local production, hone the skills of Bahrainis and reduced the operational costs.

The officials said the ministry is developing agricultural production programmes associating both modern and contemporary methods. He said plans are also anvil to make the project more appealing to students as well as for a farmers’ market.

Meanwhile, it was earlier reported that the works of Manama water garden have attained more than 85 per cent completion with the ministry planting various fruit trees including lemon, pomegranate, mango and fig, as well as aromatic trees such as Indian jasmine at the facility.