Supporting the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department’s Mangrove Cultivation Initiative in Al Zorah Reserve, members of the Dubai Dawoodi Bohra community volunteered alongside other UAE residents to plant mangrove saplings. This contribution by the community is their global Project Rise initiative which strives to protect and enhance the natural environment.
The Ajman mangroves, located within the mangrove forest of Al Zorah, a coastal suburb of Ajman in UAE, hold immense ecological and historical value. These coastal ecosystems are home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that have adapted to the challenging conditions of the intertidal zone. They serve as crucial habitats, providing breeding grounds and sanctuaries for numerous species. Furthermore, mangroves act as a natural buffer, protecting shorelines from erosion caused by waves and storms. They also play a significant role in mitigating climate change by efficiently storing large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Mangrove forests cover just 0.1% of the planet’s surface but store up to 10 times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests. As such, they play a critical role in protecting the planet from climate change.
Mangroves can be found along shores, rivers and coastlines in 118 tropical and subtropical countries, and they live in water up to 100 times saltier than most other plants are able to tolerate. Most of these trees live and thrive on muddy soil and can filter out as much as 90% of all the salt in seawater when it enters their roots.
Kinana Jamaluddin, representative of Sultan al-Bohra in the UAE, said, “By actively participating in the mangrove planting drive, our volunteers alongside fellow UAE residents are proactively contributing to the conservation and restoration of these critical ecosystems. These efforts will help preserve biodiversity while enhancing the protection of coastal areas.”
Kinana Jamaluddin continued, “As the newly planted mangroves mature, they will provide a range of benefits, including improved water quality, enhanced fishery resources, and increased resilience to climate-related events. Moreover, these initiatives play a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of mangroves and inspiring others to join in environmental conservation.”
Support for the mangroves of UAE is close to the hearts of Dawoodi Bohras. During his visit to Abu Dhabi in 2022, the leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, Sultan al-Bohra Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, demonstrated his support for the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative in a gesture that will see over 10,000 new mangrove saplings planted, intending to increase the emirate’s total mangrove coverage.
Such collaborations demonstrate the power of collective action in addressing environmental challenges, and serve as an inspiring example of how communities and individuals can unite to make a tangible difference in safeguarding our planet’s natural resources.
The Dawoodi Bohras of the UAE are proud to support initiatives like the mangrove planting drive in Ajman, and other environmental sustainable programs in line with the UAE 2023 ‘Year of Sustainability’ campaign, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for all.