Sharjah24: The Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA) organised the activities for the tenth Afforestation Campaign for Al Muntather Reserve (MR) 2 in the Al Bataeh area of Sharjah. The initiative attracted the participation of 280 male and female volunteers who represented 46 government agencies, and 1,500 students from 58 schools and 3 universities, who planted 6000 seedlings of different trees, such as Al Ghaf and Sidr

Establishing environmental sustainability and community awareness
Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA) expressed appreciation for the active participation and partnership of government agencies and institutions.  She remarked that the partners have contributed to supporting the initiative since its inception and have helped to achieve its ambitious goals of protecting and preserving the environment, including marine life and biodiversity. In addition, volunteers from partner agencies have also consolidated environmental sustainability and community awareness, increasing the green areas throughout Sharjah, encouraging local agriculture, spreading, and promoting a culture of ecological volunteering and raising awareness of positive behaviours that are beneficial to the environment.

Hana Al Suwaidi praised the efforts of the main partners and supporters of the campaign, extending her special thanks to Al Bataeh Municipality, Al Bataeh Municipal Council, Sharjah Police General Directorate, Social Services Department, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority and Bee’ah Company.
 
10 years of giving for the environment
During the inauguration of the initiative, the Chairperson of the Environment and Natural Reserves Authority in Sharjah expressed her pride in this new edition, which follows ten years of giving back to the environment and working for the benefit of mankind.  She noted that the initiative, with its main objectives in the afforestation of the Al Muntather Reserve 2, has become more solid with continued successes.  It has become increasingly popular with young volunteers, underscoring the need to intensify joint efforts, ideas, and resources to ensure the sustainability of such green campaigns.  Focused effort will ensure the continuous implementation of the directives of the Sharjah government led by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to preserve the environment and contribute to the development of environmental diversity.
In its new campaign, 6000 different seedlings were planted in the places designated for each participating entity, which included employees from all branches of the EPAA, employees of government and private institutions, and volunteers from the Department of Social Services.