September 30, Manama (BNA): Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa planted the 14,000th tree, completing the afforestation project on Muharraq Ring Road, in accordance with the directives of Crown Prince and Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to increase afforestation throughout Bahrain’s governorates as part of the National Afforestation Plan. Senior authorities and ministers attended the planting event.
Deputy Prime Minister plants 14,000th tree to mark completion of Muharraq Ring Road afforestation
In keeping with the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2060, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah emphasized that the afforestation efforts of the Kingdom, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and guided by the orders of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, represent a comprehensive national vision that seeks to improve environmental security and strike a balance between economic development and the preservation of natural resources.
The visit to Muharraq is in line with His Majesty the King’s support for the city’s development, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized. He pointed out that the development projects occurring in the governorate, such as afforestation and road beautification projects, have a solid basis thanks to the royal orders to speed up housing projects in Muharraq, services, infrastructure, and lowering traffic congestion.
According to Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah, the completion of the afforestation work on Muharraq Ring Road, one of the biggest and most contemporary road projects in the Kingdom, shows how sustainable environmental standards can be incorporated into significant national projects, improving quality of life and creating cutting-edge models that balance environmental concerns with service efficiency.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s efforts to constantly monitor environmental programs and actions aimed at attaining sustainability and protecting natural resources were also praised by Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah.
The progress made by the afforestation plan since its inception in 2022, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah added, highlights the government’s commitment to planting 3.6 million trees by 2035 in order to guarantee vegetation sustainability, enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and improve the general aesthetics of Bahrain’s streets and main roads.
The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, the Muharraq Ring Road afforestation project team, and all pertinent authorities were thanked by the Deputy Prime Minister for their ongoing collaboration and coordination, which made this and other afforestation projects under the plan a success. He said that this exemplifies Team Bahrain‘s commitment to accomplishing strategic goals that benefit the country and its people.
The Deputy Prime Minister was thanked by Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, for planting the last tree in the Muharraq Ring Road project. He pointed out that Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah’s dedication to afforestation projects and his continuous support for environmental sustainability activities are reflected in this gesture.
He also emphasized how the Deputy Prime Minister chairs the Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects, which keeps an eye on the afforestation plan’s advancement and improves coordination between pertinent parties to guarantee that its objectives are met in accordance with best practices.
The national plan calls for planting more than 183,000 trees by 2025, and the Muharraq Ring Road afforestation project accounts for about 9% of this year’s goal. With a pumping capacity of 120 cubic meters per hour and a 22-kilometer irrigation network, the project uses treated water for irrigation.
Hibiscus tiliaceus, neem, banyan (Ficus benghalensis), royal poinciana, and albizia lebbeck are among the tree species that have been planted; they are all suitable for Bahrain’s climate.
