Doha, March 25 (QNA) - The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, in collaboration with Qetaifan Projects, has announced the launch of an innovative environmental project to plant 1,000 local mangrove seedlings on Qetaifan Island North in Lusail City. The project aims to promote environmental sustainability and biodiversity.

The project, the first of its kind in Qatar, utilizes mangrove trees in landscaping, adding a new environmental and aesthetic dimension and reflecting the country's commitment to adopting innovative environmental solutions that support sustainability.

In this context, Director of the Wildlife Development Department at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Yousef Al Hamar said that the project reflects the Ministry's commitment to promoting sustainable environmental practices, as part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Qatar National Vision 2030.

He noted that the planting of local mangrove trees on Qetaifan Island represents an environmental precedent in Qatar, as these trees are being used for the first time in an aesthetic and functional manner, enhancing the integration of environmental solutions with sustainable urban planning.

Al Hamar said that the project will have a tangible positive impact on the coastal environment, contributing to improving air quality, enhancing biodiversity, and providing natural habitats for marine organisms and birds, in addition to raising community awareness of the importance of sustainable environmental solutions.

Head of the Wildlife Department at the Ministry Adel Al Yafei explained that the seedlings used in the project were provided by the Al Ghashamiya Nursery, which was recently inaugurated on Qatar Environment Day.

He added that the project will be implemented according to strict environmental standards to ensure maximum environmental benefits. He noted that the initiative is part of a series of projects implemented by the Ministry in partnership with the public and private sectors, with the aim of rehabilitating coastal areas and enhancing ecological balance.

Al Yafei noted that mangrove trees play a vital role in protecting coasts from erosion, absorbing carbon, improving air quality, and providing a nurturing environment for migratory birds and marine organisms, making them a key component of Qatar's coastal conservation strategy.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change affirmed its commitment to strengthening Qatar's leadership in adopting innovative environmental solutions, in line with global trends toward sustainable development and supporting the country's efforts to build a more sustainable environmental future for future generations. (QNA)