Dubai: The plan to have a greener Dubai has been pruned.
Trees are being felled virtually every day to pave the way for road expansion, pushing back the municipality's target of reaching eight per cent greenery by eight years.
The ambitious plan for a greener Dubai has been clipped as thousands of trees are being felled to expand the city's road network.
"We rue the loss of green cover and the trees that are being felled, but growth is inevitable," said Salim Malik, a Dubai resident.
Dubai Municipality had to extend its target of eight per cent greenery from 2012 to 2020 because of the massive cutting of trees, shrubs and plants along the roads.
By the end of September 2005, the percentage of greenery in Dubai was 3.63.
Instead of increasing, the percentage has gone down because of the felling of trees.
'Saved'
In addition to plants and shrubs, large shady trees have been cut on roads like Oud Metha, Zabeel, Mina, Baniyas (near Al Maktoum Bridge), Nad Al Hammar, Hor Al Anz and Al Majaz.
An official at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said that date palm and Ghaf trees have been saved and moved to the municipality's nurseries. He said they will be replanted. But thousands of other big trees were simply felled without any effort to save them. RTA recently launched landscaping projects along Dubai roads and interchanges at a cost of Dh170 million. The emirate's total green area in 2006 was 2,236.8 hectares. According to the Dubai Municipality official, Dubai achieved 19.7 square metres per capita of greenery by the end of 2005 but it was affected because trees were cut.
The municipality's target to have 25 square metres of greenery per capita by 2012 has also been badly hit.
The minimum per capita standard for greenery in Europe is seven square metres while the United Nations Environment Programme recommends a minimum of nine square metres.
Greenery target delayed by 8 years
- By the end of September 2005, the percentage of greenery in Dubai was 3.63.
- The emirate's total green area in 2006 was spread over 2,236.8 hectares.
- Dubai achieved 19.7 square metres per capita greenery by the end of 2005 but it was affected because trees were cut.
- Dubai Municipality's target to have 25 square metres of greenery per capita by 2012 has also been badly hit.
Your comments
It is a disgrace that trees that have taken so long to grow have been cut down. In Australia the value of tree is such that when trees have to be cleared for road extensions, they are uprooted and replanted. Why the municipality can not do that here is beyond me.
Kieran
Dubai,UAE
Dubai, having a hot semi-arid climate, must encourage more greenery to reduce heat. Action should be taken so that the country will look green.
Ragi
Dubai,UAE
Once the Metro work is over authorities should plant trees that give shade. So far we have only seen palm trees being planted along the roads. They are beautiful, no doubt, but does not really give enough shade for many. The Municipality can also ask school children to plant trees.
Narayanan
Sharjah,UAE
This seems to be happening everywhere now. The entire Garhoud area has been dug up for the Metro and road expansions and new flowers had just been planted! It's really sad.
The main Metro station has swallowed up the Deira park, too. Where is the replacement? There are plenty of vacant spaces in the Muraqqabat area that can be converted into parks.
Tahseen
Dubai,UAE
It is really sad news that trees have been cut to make way for road expansions. Trees are important, especially in counteracting green house gas. I understand that expansion is necessary but can authorities please relocate the felled trees?
Ahmed
Sharjah,UAE
Dubai is losing its greenery. The RTA seems to continue its projects despite serious negative and permanent impacts on the environment. Authorities should take action to keep the emirates green.
Rashed
Dubai,UAE
Is it any surprise that the green space is regressing rather than increasing? This particular emirate has shown time and time again that its priorities are in economic growth regardless of environmental impact. Let's face it: Dubai can not be all things to all people, despite clever marketing. It is enough to be an engine for regional economic growth. The world has never seen an example of such rapid growth combined with sustainability. Shanghai can not do it and neither, apparently, can Dubai.
Norman
Honolulu,USA
