Residents to enjoy more greener spaces in Dubai

Dubai: A series of landscaping projects will add 113 hectares of greenery to the city this year, Dubai Municipality has announced.

Various activities are being held across the country to mark the launch of the 28th Plantation Week, which runs until March 6.

Environment Health and Safety (EHS), the regulatory arm of Trakhees - Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation has joined forces with the UAE municipalities to mark the event - held this year under the slogan: "Together for a green UAE".

Engineer Hussain Nasser Lootah, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality; Jasem Mohammad Darwish, Secretary General of UAE Municipalities and Engineer Abdullah Raffia, Assistant Director General of the Municipality for Public Health attended the launch ceremony at Mirdif Park.

A date palm tree was planted at the site, which covers a total area of 15,500 square metres at an overall cost of nearly Dh10 million. The facility has dedicated sections for children aged 2-5 and 6-12 and boasts a 325-metre long jogging track.

The civic body has also announced its desire to plant inaugural saplings at five more of its projects.

"We are undertaking a total of 109 landscape and beautification projects this year worth Dh463 million.

Development

"They include the development of six existing public parks, the setting up of 21 neighbourhood parks, 23 community facilities and four pond parks," Lootah said.

EHS joined in the celebrations by distributing 1,000 plants to schools and kindergartens to promote the value of agriculture.

Nazek Sabbagh, Managing Director of EHS, said: "The events organised during the Plantation Week will serve all members of society and create awareness about the importance of preserving the environment.

"Islam has a very positive stand on agriculture and greenery. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) encouraged agriculture in general and the cultivation of fruit trees and legumes in particular. Islam emphasised that during war times, warriors should not destroy agricultural and animal resources, but should preserve them."

The Municipality is spearheading efforts to provide maximum green space to the city's residents as part of its Strategic Plan, which seeks to increase the per capita share of greenery to 23.4 square metres and raise the total area of cultivated land to 3.15 per cent by 2011.

Workshops: Raising awareness

The Municipality is organising several workshops and exhibitions to highlight the significance of spreading greenery in the city. The classes are aimed at students of government and private schools, as well as housewives.

Some 400 people are expected to attend the programmes, which are being held at Nad Al Hamr School, Dubai Municipality Staff Club, Umm Suqeim Elementary School, Dubai Airport Expo, Zabeel Park, Sharjah American Club in Dubai, IPM Expo and Al Hafidh Elementary School.