National campaign to protect the ghaf tree launched

The campaign will promote awareness about ghaf among UAE residents, and call upon them to vote for it being designated National Tree of the UAE.

Said Saeed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, Chairman, Al Fahim Group "The ghaf tree has supported the people of Arabia for centuries. We believe it is important to educate the public on the importance of preserving this important part of our heritage. Appreciating the value of ghaf to our culture and environment, our late president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan actively protected and planted the species. Today, with threats to the ghaf mounting, it is vital to safeguard this plant that is integral to life in the desert."

A savetheghaftree.org website has been developed for the campaign. Al Fahim and EWS-WWF will send out a variety of mail - letters, flyers and posters - that will educate people about ghaf and encourage them to access the website and plant a symbolic sapling in a virtual ghaf garden. Actual plantation of ghaf trees will also be taken up by Al Fahim and EWS-WWF. To garner support for ghaf conservation, people will be requested to vote on line in favour of the species being designated UAE's National Tree.

Stated Majid Al Mansouri, EWS Board Member "Ghaf groves in the UAE are succumbing to pressures of unfettered development. The tree's accelerating decline implies a loss in our cultural and biological heritage. EWS believes that assigning ghaf the status of National Tree will underscore its significance and lead to its protection."

The campaign to save the ghaf tree will run over two months - December 2006 and January 2007. At the close of the campaign, Al Fahim and EWS-WWF will present to federal authorities, the will of the people about ghaf as National Tree. They will also plant 1 ghaf sapling for every ten planted by participants in the virtual ghaf garden.