Chel's latest project is clearing 56 Ghaf trees out of a 126 square kilometre site of the new Dubai aiport. The Ghaf trees are the national tree and any removal and resiting are overseen by a Municipality (Council) technician. It has been very cold (6 degrees celsius) and windy and the trees are scattered througout the vast area. Any animal that is displaced is rehabilitated in a formal programme.
Some nerdy facts:
Arabic people and the ghaf go a long way back to when the Bedouins led a nomadic existence in the desert. As the provider of shelter, shade, food and medicine for both man and animal, the ghaf was treated as a member of the Bedouin family, loved, cherished and highly respected.
With the large role played by the ghaf in their history, the Arabic people will always have an innate love and respect for the ghaf. No one better appreciated the tree's value to Arabic culture and heritage than the late president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a true conservationist. Besides preserving existing natural vegetation, Sheikh Zayed undertook extensive plantations, including ghaf and other native species, in both private reserves and the open desert. His Highness also banned the hunting of birds and wild animals.
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