Qatar produces 9,000 mangrove seedlings in 2024

Published: 9 August 2024

NT Bureau
Doha

The State of Qatar has successfully produced 9,000 mangrove seedlings this year as part of its ongoing efforts to restore and protect coastal ecosystems. Since beginning its mangrove cultivation initiatives in 1981, Qatar has expanded its focus on the preservation and restoration of these critical habitats, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) said on social media.

In 2024, Qatar’s Al Ghashamiya Center produced 6,000 Avicennia marina seedlings, while an additional 3,000 were cultivated at the Al Dhakira Marine Nursery. And a new marine nursery has been estab-lished in Fuwairit.

Currently, there are 13 designated cultivation sites along Qatar’s coastline. These efforts have led to the successful cultivation of mangroves in several key areas, including Al-Ruwais, Umm Al-Houl, Fu-wairit, and Ras Matbakh, supplementing the naturally occurring mangroves found on Al Khor and Al Thakhira beaches.

In recognition of the importance of these ecosystems, the Supreme Council of Environment and Natu-ral Reserves has designated mangrove ecosystems as protected nature reserves. To further strength-en conservation efforts, a memorandum of understanding was recently signed to establish the Na-tional Program to Conserve Qatar’s Coastal Ecosystems.

This collaborative initiative involves the Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, Qatar University, and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, aiming to ensure the long-term preservation and sustainability of Qatar’s coastal ecosystems.