On the occasion of Environment Day, Goumbook invited Emiratis to plant their national tree, the Ghaf tree.

 

Goumbook, an online information portal for environmental issues, was founded in 2009 to bring attention to the region’s efforts towards a greener economy.

 

In 2010, UAE Environment Day was dedicated to the “vibrant desert”, which provided the perfect occasion to launch the initiative and to focus the attention on the wild Ghaf, a beautiful, valuable tree identified with the Arab tradition.

 

Goumbook has worked closely with local entities to plant young Ghaf trees in the UAE to raise awareness on the local environment.

 

The “Give a Ghaf Tree Planting Program” was launched four years ago to promote awareness on the importance of conserving the living desert and specifically the Ghaf tree.

 

“The Ghaf can also be used for green and beautification purposes while saving many liters of water,” said Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Goumbook co-founder. “People don’t realize the amount of water that is being used just to irrigate loans and gardens, and sometimes just making the right choice of plants and trees can make a big difference financially and environmentally.”

 

The programme is working towards reviving the UAE traditions and commemorating local heritage.

 

“Give a Ghaf” is a non-profit initiative. To participate or collaborate, visit: www.giveaghaf.com.