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Manama, October 28 (BNA) The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) announced that it has received generous support from Zain Bahrain to plant the Istiklal Corridor in the Southern Governorate, and from the Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) for the benefit of the Arad region. Walkway in Muharraq Governorate.
The projects come in cooperation with the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning and the Supreme Council for the Environment, as part of the “Forever Green” national campaign.
“Today, we are proud to open two additional sites as part of the national afforestation campaign ‘Forever Green’ in its first phase,” said Sheikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary General of NAID.
She added that the campaign is being implemented under the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, consort of His Majesty the King and Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Club.
Sheikha Maram said: “This reflects Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka’s interest in agricultural and environmental development projects that contribute to the growth and expansion of the agricultural sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
She stressed the important role of the private sector in supporting the national campaign for afforestation in response to the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the need to strengthen the partnership between the two sectors.
“Today their partnership resulted in the support of 6 out of 27 sites planned in the first phase of the campaign for the governorates of the Kingdom. There is no doubt that this effective contribution will enhance efforts to achieve the environmental goals that the Kingdom of Bahrain is committed to supporting. It is part of global efforts and national priorities.”
“Niad and the relevant municipalities chose the trees after a study with experts and according to the aesthetic and environmental requirements in order to achieve the set goals. The two new sites, the urban breathing space for the population in the two regions, serve large segments of citizens and residents.”
She added that the Poinciana trees, neem, scrolls, hibiscus telicius and Cassia Vistula, which achieve the campaign’s aesthetic and environmental goals, will contribute to increasing green spaces in line with Bahrain’s climate.
Trees were planted in the Independence Walk in the presence of Mohammed Zain Al-Abidin, General Manager of Zain Bahrain, Asim Abdul Latif, General Manager of the Southern Governorate, deputies, heads, members of municipal councils and officials.
The ceremony was held at Arad Walk in the presence of Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Dina, Special Envoy for Climate Affairs and CEO of the Supreme Council for the Environment, and Sheikh Badr bin Rashid Al Khalifa, General Manager of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility at Batelco. And Ibrahim Al-Jowder, Director General of Muharraq Municipality. The meeting was also attended by senior municipal officials, members of parliament, heads and members of municipal councils and officials.
The objectives of the campaign, recent developments since the official announcement of its launch, and the expected vision for the sites upon completion were also reviewed.
The “Forever Green” campaign was launched on October 20 under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.
The campaign to transform Bahrain into a greener environment by planting 50,000 trees and shrubs aims to support the state’s strategies by coordinating with the public and private sectors to maintain the development of the agricultural sector in Bahrain.
It also seeks to highlight the aesthetic features of the Kingdom and its interest in agriculture as a historical heritage and strive to increase and expand the green space.
Trees and shrubs will be planted in 27 sites in the four governorates of the Kingdom on an area of more than 70,000 square meters and more than 21,000 linear meters during the first phase, which will run until March 2022.
The southern governorate will have 10 locations, the northern governorate six, the Muharraq governorate six, and the capital governorate five. Estimated cost is over 500,000 BD.