Mangrove trees: a national wealth and environmental necessity that must be developed and preserved

The Public Authority for Agriculture Resources and Fisheries (PAF) has called for bolstering national efforts to preserve coastal ecosystems through the cultivation of mangrove trees (Qurm), in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and to enhance Kuwait’s environmental resilience against climate challenges, safeguarding its natural wealth for future generations.

Sheikha Al-Ibrahim, Director of Public Relations and Media at the Authority, told KUNA on the occasion of the International Day for the Protection of Mangrove Forests, observed annually on July 26, that the day serves as an opportunity to renew commitments to protecting this vital environmental resource and its crucial role in nature and coastal environments.

Al-Ibrahim emphasized the Authority’s continued efforts to protect and sustain coastal ecosystems, driven by the conviction that mangroves are among the most important natural ecosystems contributing to biodiversity conservation, coastal erosion prevention, and mitigation of climate change impacts through their capacity to absorb and store carbon.

She noted that Kuwait has made significant progress in mangrove cultivation and transplantation, with the Authority launching a national project to cultivate Qurm in several coastal sites, notably the Jahra Nature Reserve.

The Authority successfully conducted experiments on germinating Qurm seeds in its laboratories and acclimatizing them to local environmental conditions, which helped enhance natural habitats for birds and marine life, thereby supporting biodiversity in the reserve’s coastal environment.

She highlighted the Authority’s commitment to implementing numerous mangrove planting campaigns in the Jahra Reserve in collaboration with government entities, the private sector, civil society organizations, volunteer groups, and diplomatic missions, underscoring that environmental protection is a shared national responsibility requiring collective efforts.

Al-Ibrahim stated that all initiatives have contributed to expanding the area covered by mangrove forests, raising public awareness of their environmental importance, and yielding positive ecological outcomes, including attracting birds that view the area as a safe haven.

She confirmed the Authority’s continuation of monitoring and follow-up programs to ensure the successful growth and sustainability of mangrove trees, alongside educational and awareness campaigns targeting various societal segments to instill a culture of natural resource conservation and encourage community participation in environmental initiatives.

For its part, the Kuwait Society for Earth Sciences affirmed that Kuwait is witnessing vigorous efforts to transplant mangrove trees (Qurm) as part of its ambitious national strategy to mitigate climate change impacts and protect its coastlines, recognizing mangroves as a national asset and an environmental necessity that must be developed and preserved.

Dr. Mubarak Al-Hajeri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Society, told KUNA that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established the annual observance of this day to raise awareness of the importance of unique ecosystems and strengthen their global protection.

Al-Hajeri added that mangrove trees play a vital role in protecting the environment and biodiversity and combating climate change, noting that Kuwait officially joined the “Mangroves for Climate Alliance” and committed to an environmental vision aiming to plant thousands of saplings by 2035.

He explained that mangrove trees disappeared from Kuwaiti shores in the 1950s due to several factors, including urban expansion, illegal logging, waste dumping, and the discharge of untreated sewage. However, current environmental initiatives have successfully restored this natural heritage.

These efforts involved intensive cultivation programs, where mangrove seeds were collected from sister Gulf countries and cultivated in local laboratories to prepare them before being transferred to muddy shores.

For his part, Dr. Urfat Al-Shuaibi, Member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Development and Sustainability Committee at the Society, told KUNA that challenges facing mangrove cultivation include rising temperatures and evaporation rates, which increase the salinity of water and coastal soil, as well as the vulnerability of young saplings to erosion or burial under sand due to marine currents and strong waves.

Regarding the environmental importance of planting mangrove trees, Al-Shuaibi clarified that they help combat global warming by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide in their muddy soils as “blue carbon,” while also purifying water and soil. Their roots trap sediments, pollutants, and heavy metals, thereby improving the quality of coastal waters and the purity of Kuwait Bay.