Bahrain aims at expanding green spaces

TDT | Manama                             

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture will continue promoting sustainable urban development in Bahrain to improve the environment by increasing the green area and expanding afforestation projects in various streets, intersections, and municipal projects.

This was emphasised by Minister Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak as he unveiled plans to double the number of road trees from 1.8 million now to about 3.6 million by 2035 as part of the kingdom’s commitments within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The minister made the statements while inspecting the afforestation and beautification works being carried out along the sides and middle of the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway. Trees are being planted at a 14-km distance, starting from the upper bridge intersections of the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Highway and the Shaikh Khalifa Highway, until the Zallaq intersection.

Al Mubarak indicated that under the project, nearly 11,720 shade trees, including neem, hibiscus, ficus, eucalyptus, and cassia, will be planted, noting that those types of plants are suitable for the environment of the Kingdom and approved in the strategy of the afforestation campaign, as they are characterised by their resistance to weather conditions such as high heat and drought and bear the salinity of high and rocky soils.

He said that 45% of the project, which began in February 2023 and will continue until February 2014, has been completed. The minister highlighted the Ministry’s strategy aimed at beautifying the main streets and intersections by planting trees and expanding green spaces across various governorates to give an aesthetic aspect to the streets and increase the green area, which would contribute to preserving the environment and increasing the biological diversity of local plants.