The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has expanded its native tree-tagging programme to encompass all naturally occurring native trees in the emirate’s wild habitats and natural reserves.
The agency aims to tag 100,000 native trees as part of the programme, encompassing ghaf, samar, and sidr trees, all of which naturally thrive in wild habitats and protected areas. In collaboration with its strategic partners, EAD has set the standards for tree-tagging activities, which will be held in diverse regions across the emirate.
The programme will be expanded to encompass trees in city parks, urban areas and along roadsides through the tree-tagging initiative managed by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). Native trees situated in agricultural zones and tourist sites will also be included in the programme, with collaboration and coordination involving the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT). The programme entails collecting data on the status of trees, aligning with standards compatible with the databases of the Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD).
EAD Secretary-General Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri said: “The Agency has developed this programme in alignment with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who emphasises the significance of fostering sustainability and safeguarding the country’s environmental and natural systems. This commitment is evident through the extension of the Year of Sustainability initiative into 2024, reflecting the intention to build upon the successes of the previous year. This extension underscores the country’s dedication to realising a prosperous and sustainable future for all.”
She also emphasised that the programme is among the most comprehensive initiatives globally. The agency aims to tag and number all native trees growing in wild areas and natural reserves within the emirate’s Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network.
Ahmed Al Hashemi, Executive Director - Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector, EAD, said: “Within the initial three months since the programme’s initiation in November 2023, EAD successfully tagged over 17,000 trees. Native trees in Abu Dhabi are confronted with multiple challenges. Apart from the adversities induced by climate change, leading to a significant decline in rainfall across diverse habitats of the emirate, the tree cover encounters additional pressures stemming from unlawful encroachments. These include unauthorised firewood collection and unregulated overgrazing. These activities have a detrimental impact on the natural regeneration of native tree species.”
