Being a futuristic metropolitan country, UAE has taken multiple measures by Vision 2021 in creating a “Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure” while balancing the needs of society to seek excellence as a community and complying with Sheikh Zayed’s primary motives to reduce desertification and transform UAE into a green haven. He had stated that “On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so only because they recognized the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to liven and to preserve it for succeeding generations.” Over the years, UAE has had a dynamic shift in its sources of income. At first, the country generated money using pearl-diving and oil trading. But now, the course has evolved to take the form of tourism and infrastructure.
In making the city look aesthetically pleasing for the tourists and promoting sustainability, the UAE government planted multiple trees and mangroves around the country. A tree-planting campaign was created by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) in which 641 entities had united to plant around 2000 trees since 2007 across Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. The EEG concluded that within five to seven years, the trees will attain maturity and reduce over 31 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere while also creating eco-systems and natural habitats for various endangered species.
However, it is statistically proven that UAE is one of the top 10 most water-scare countries in the world due to external factors such as its geographical location and climate. It also has one of the highest per capita daily water consumption. Agriculture is one of the leading water consumers, using up about 80% of freshwater. In the process, at least 10% of water is lost due to evaporation, creating mass amounts of wasted water. So to grapple with the challenges individuals faced with water usage while partaking in the “One Million Trees” initiative, the UAE government proposed a much efficient method of irrigation to enhance the industry: drip irrigation.
This process conserved tons of water and reduced fertilizers by eliminating water loss and allowing water to drip slowly and directly to the roots of plants and trees through a network of valves and tubing systems for row crops. Furthermore, it decreased water run-off and soil erosion, which enabled the government to develop a sustainable way to cultivate the vegetation of UAE while conserving water supply and making the country look more appealing for the tourists.
Moving forward, the government looks towards installing irrigation systems consisting of gravels and pipes below the surface and has already begun the process, which uses a water-proof tarp and layers of gravel around pipes that are drilled at areas that would allow sufficient water flow. This way, government officials stimulate environmental-friendly actions.
Efforts are made to educate local farmers and familiarize them with yielding irrigational methods and create awareness within schools and other ecological firms, incorporating the environmental spectrum across the country. Taking these measures is essential because our natural environment induces human life and maintains well-being, creating a solid and stable future with many scopes.