RIYADH: The Kingdom is on track to achieve its goal of planting 100 million mangrove trees by 2030, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 plan.
Since the ambitious coastal reforestation program was launched a year ago, around 13 million mangrove seedlings have been planted, the Saudi Press Agency recently reported, citing a progress report from the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
Mangroves, along with coral reefs and seagrass meadows, ensure the health of coastal areas, say marine scientists. (SPA)
Most of the projects reported by the NCVC are currently being carried out on the Kingdom's Red Sea coast. Jazan province tops the list with 5.5 million seedlings, followed by Makkah province with 2.4 million, Medina with 2 million, Tabuk with 1.5 million and Asir with 1 million.
According to the report, the Eastern Province has planted 500,000 seedlings along the Arabian Gulf coast.
However, before the official launch of the project in the Arabian Gulf, the center found that 700,000 seedlings had already been planted, including 200,000 on the island of Ras Abu Ali in Jubail province and 500,000 in Al-Wajh province.
“The project includes fencing and maintaining the seedlings to protect them from algae and seaweed, as well as protecting the sites from grazing and encroachment,” the SPA reported.
In addition, the NCVC and the Asir Region Development Authority launched a “mangrove restoration” programme on Wednesday to mark the UN International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem, which is held annually on July 26.
Mangrove planting in Al-Barak governorate in Asir region. (SPA)
Activists planted 500 mangrove seedlings on the beaches of Al-Barak province. The event was led by Al-Barak Governor Abdullah bin Ali bin Muhya and Mayor Nasser Saeed Al-Shahrani.
The SPA stated that the intention was to raise awareness on the importance of planting and protecting mangrove forests in the face of climate change and global warming.
Marine scientists say that mangroves, in conjunction with seagrass beds and coral reefs, ensure the health of coastal zones.
They have been found to provide important habitat for thousands of species, stabilize shorelines, prevent erosion, and protect communities from waves and storms.
“An estimated 75 percent of commercially caught fish spend some time in the mangroves or depend on food webs that can be traced back to these coastal forests,” says a statement from the American Museum of Natural History.
In many countries suffering from massive destruction of mangroves, fish stocks continue to decline.
