The Public Parks Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment has announced that the number of trees planted during the past 10 years increased from 30,735 in 2010 to 59,386 in 2020, an increase of 93%.

Additionally, the number of palm trees planted during the same period increased from 14,983 to 19,058, an increase of 27%, the Director of the Public Parks Department, Mohamed Ali al-Khouri, said in a statement on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, which falls on June 17 every year.

Al-Khouri said that the ministry is making great efforts to increase green areas in various regions of the country with the aim of contributing to protecting the environment and combating desertification, in co-operation with the bodies working in this field.

Al-Khouri pointed out that between March 2019 and May 2020, the department distributed tree seedlings to government agencies, farms and citizens, besides planting various trees in co-operation with the municipal parks sections of the municipalities. He indicated that the number of trees distributed and planted during this period amounted to 104,356 trees.

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought aims to raise public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification and remind everyone that neutralising the impact of land degradation can be achieved through problem solving, strong community participation and co-operation at all levels.