Through the HAMIA initiative, AZRAQ is proud to launch the “Million Mangrove Challenge”. This ambitious project seeks to restore and expand vital mangrove forests across the UAE. By reforesting coastal habitats, this effort not only helps protect biodiversity but also creates a natural buffer against coastal erosion and rising sea levels, essential for the resilience of our communities. Mangroves are powerful carbon sinks, absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it within their roots and surrounding soil, making them key players in the fight against climate change. Together, we aim to regenerate these unique ecosystems, engaging communities and partners to create a sustainable, greener future for generations to come.
Through the AMAL initiative, AZRAQ is dedicated to raising awareness about the vital importance of coral reef ecosystems. Our mission includes reducing our impact, surveying and monitoring UAE reefs, and expanding marine ecosystems along the UAE coastline using artificial reef techniques. In partnership with Coralife, we are committed to protecting and enhancing our coastline by creating artificial reef structures to boost marine biodiversity.
The Taher Initiative focuses on comprehensive clean-up efforts, community education on proper waste management, and the promotion of sustainable practices to prevent future marine debris. Marine debris poses severe threats to marine life, causing injuries or fatalities through drowning, entanglement, and starvation from ingestion. Innocent creatures like birds, sharks, turtles, dolphins, and whales are particularly vulnerable. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean, underscoring the urgent need for action.
The INMA Initiative prioritizes education as thecornerstone of our conservation efforts. We believe that well-informed individuals are better equipped to grasp the significance of marine ecosystems and the challenges they encounter. Our educational programs offer valuable insights into the delicate balance of marine life and the critical environmental issues threatening our ocean.
