5.16 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Sharjah plans to establish seed bank

Published

Preparations for establishing a seed bank in Sharjah are in full swing, according to HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and Ruler of Sharjah.

''Efforts are now concentrating on collecting seeds of wild plants and depositing them at the Millennium Bank of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, one of the world's leading botanic gardens, until Sharjah readies its own seed bank,'' Sheikh Sultan said during a meeting with participants in the 12th International Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation in the Arabian Peninsula, hosted by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) of the Government of Sharjah.

Sheikh Sultan told the delegates that the seed bank is an important step in efforts towards safeguarding plant biodiversity in the Arabian Peninsula.

Sheikh Sultan disclosed that more nature reserves and protected areas would be opened in Sharjah as part of Sharjah's relentless efforts to conserve and develop fauna and flora.

More than 70 botanists and environmentalists from Europe, South Africa, Arab World and Arabia are participating in the event. The workshop serves as a forum for exchanging views and information, and provides an opportunity to strengthen and extend the Biodiversity Network on the Arabian Peninsula.