Qatar’s mangrove forests now cover an estimated 14 square kilometers, with more than half concentrated within the Al Thakhira Reserve, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) announced on Sunday. The announcement coincided with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, observed annually on July 26, highlighting the ministry’s ongoing efforts to protect and expand this vital coastal habitat.
The ministry emphasized that mangrove ecosystems are critical for climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and coastal protection. Distributed across several coastal areas—including Al Khor, Al Thakhira, Al Wakra, Mesaieed, Al Alia Island, Fuwairit, Al Ruwais, Al Arish, and Al Jamil—these mangroves serve as essential carbon sinks, storing significant amounts of carbon dioxide in both their biomass and the surrounding soil. This attribute underscores their importance in supporting national and global climate goals.
Al Thakhira Reserve, which encompasses over seven square kilometers of mangroves, represents Qatar’s largest and most significant mangrove habitat. The ministry is collaborating with various national institutions to safeguard existing forests, prevent overexploitation, and expand mangrove plantations in environmentally suitable locations through scientifically guided restoration programs.
Khalid Juma Al Muhannadi, director of the Wildlife Development Department at MECC, stressed that successful conservation requires more than merely planting new trees. Restoration efforts begin with detailed scientific assessments of environmental factors such as tidal movement, soil composition, and salinity levels before planting. The ministry monitors the growth and survival of seedlings post-planting to ensure sustainability, focusing on natural growth and ecosystem support rather than just the number of trees planted.
Al Muhannadi also called on individuals, community groups, and organizations interested in mangrove planting initiatives to coordinate closely with the ministry. He emphasized that appropriate site selection, timing, and cultivation methods under the ministry’s supervision are essential to maintaining ecological balance.
Beyond their environmental value, Qatar’s mangrove forests have grown in economic importance, attracting tourists to areas like the Al Thakhira Reserve for activities such as kayaking and birdwatching. These ecosystems contribute to sustainable tourism, fisheries, water resource maintenance, and the stabilization of shorelines by protecting against erosion, waves, tidal surges, and storms.
The MECC urged residents and visitors to support conservation efforts by avoiding damage to mangroves and preventing pollution in these habitats. Mangroves—evergreen trees and shrubs adapted to tidal zones and mudflats—play an indispensable role in preserving Qatar’s coastal biodiversity and marine ecosystems while advancing broader ecological and climate objectives.