Sheikh Zayed's Legacy: Our Inspiration for Sustainability

 

Introduction:

Dedicated to the visionary leader and father of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,

this page celebrates his remarkable contributions to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. As we embark on the Desert Revival Initiative, we draw inspiration from Sheikh Zayed's legacy and his unwavering commitment to cultivating prosperity in harmony with nature.

 

Sheikh Zayed's pioneering vision laid the foundation for the UAE's extraordinary journey towards a greener, more sustainable future. His determination to transform barren desert land into thriving landscapes continues to guide our efforts as we strive to create a world where businesses and ecosystems flourish side by side.

 

Explore this page to learn more about Sheikh Zayed's profound impact on the UAE, his lasting influence on the Holistic Oasis Office, and how his vision for sustainable development inspires our commitment to the Desert Revival Initiative. Together, let us honor Sheikh Zayed's legacy by fostering a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.

 

Title: Sheikh Zayed's Vision: Transforming Barren Land into Prosperity

 

Introduction:

 

In 1971, when Sheikh Zayed assumed the presidency, the United Arab Emirates faced a monumental challenge: cultivating its vast desert land to build a sustainable future for its people. With only 2,530 hectares (6,250 acres) of arable land and expert opinions declaring the region's climate unfit for agriculture, Sheikh Zayed boldly decided to carve a new path.

 

In Sheikh Zayed's own words, "Foreign experts told us that it was impossible to plant anything in our harsh and hostile terrain.

We told them 'Let us try.'"

This unwavering determination and belief in the transformative power of innovation laid the foundation for the UAE's remarkable journey towards a greener, more prosperous future.

"Not heeding the experts' advice, Sheikh Zayed allotted funds for vast reclamation projects to increase the agriculture and forested areas. By the early 1990s, thousands of hectares had been brought under the plough and the green expanse in the country had grown extensively—470,000 hectares (1,616,370 acres) now are being cultivated.

The transformation of vast stretches of barren desert into waving fields of wheat and orchards laden with fruit, and towns with streets of sand into garden cities is virtually unmatched in the annals of mankind. Today, the people look with pride upon their achievements in agriculture that have made their barren soil into a land producing fodder, fruit and vegetables.

 

Due to the cultivation of the land and generous subsidies to farmers, food production has increased by leaps and bounds. The number of farms, which the government prepares and gives free to farmers, has increased from 7,759 to 20,000 over the past few decades. The total of vegetables produced has risen from 20,000 tons in the early 1970s to 538,000 tons in 1992.

 

This has made the UAE self-sufficient in fruits and vegetables that can be produced in the region, which comprise 60 percent of all of its agricultural needs. Among other local crops, beans, cucumbers, eggplants and peppers not only are now grown on reclaimed land, but in 4,000. greenhouses—built at no charge by the government for local farmers—which dot the country.

In 1977 the UAE had fewer than 2 million palms, producing some 30,000 tons of dates. By 1993 the number of date palms had risen to nearly 21 million—and still is increasing by 200,000 trees annually—producing more than 250,000 tons of dates. This has made the country one of the most important date producers in the world and has given rise to a whole new date-processing industry. Also, the palm groves are acting as a buffer against the hot desert winds, tempering the heat and, to some extent, pushing back the desert

Including the date palms, the UAE has planted more than 100 million trees, many of them hardy desert species. They have become parts of thick forest belts, planted to hold back the drifting sands encroaching upon towns and highways. The total forested area has risen from 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres) in 1972 to 143,000 hectares (353,210 acres) in 1993. Throughout the UAE, in contrast to most other countries in the same latitudes throughout the world, the desert has been forced to retreat.

None of these undertakings would have been possible without finding new supplies of fresh water. Hence, the country's traditional water resources, underground aquifers such as that of Al Ain, the covered falaj channels that conduct water from mountain springs to plains below, and wells were renovated and greatly expanded. Over 1,300 new wells were dug, six dams were built and another four dams are under construction. Centrifugal and drip irrigation now are widespread and waste water in the cities is treated and recycled for agricultural use.

Above all, desalination of sea water on a large scale has greatly eased the water situation. Urban centers in the country rely almost exclusively on this type of water. In Abu Dhabi alone, there are 18 desalination plants which produce some 70 percent of the city's needs.

 

As the desert is pushed back and parklands turn the cities green, roadsides and roundabouts blaze wiwith greenery and flower beds. Tree belts and gardens in every corner of the country provide a green lung for the towns and, for the people, a welcome escape from the harsh desert. One has only to drive to the Liwa, 250 kilometers (156 miles) southwest of Abu Dhabi, on the edge of Arabia's Empty Quarter, to see how parts of the once hostile desert are now lush green gardens.

 

Enhancing the galloping greenery is the creation of five artificial lakes in the desert—a animal project.

Complementing the greenery of the country is the strictly enforced protection of wild life. Sheikh Zayed is paying millions to restore endangered species through captive breeding programs and reintroduce them into well-protected reserves. One of these is the Al Ain Zoo with over 30,000 animals and birds—one of the largest in the world. Another is Sheikh Zayed's private nature reserve on the island of Sir Bani Yas, stocked with hundred of oryx and Arabian gazelles.

 

There is even a surplus of some commodities for export. UAE watermelons and tomatoes are sold throughout the Gulf states and UAE strawberries and cut flowers are to be found in many Europeans markets.

Sheikh Zayed's vision and persistence empowered the nation to embrace innovative agricultural methods, ultimately defying the odds and transforming barren lands into thriving, productive landscapes. Today, the UAE continues to build upon this legacy, fostering sustainable development and environmental stewardship as core tenets of its identity.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Butti, the governor of Abu Dhabi's western region, who is responsible for the reclamation of a large chunk of his fiefdom, says he is only carrying out the instructions of Sheikh Zayed.

These instructions are: "Plant more palm trees and still more palm trees. The desert is before you. Confront the yellow invasion with the green invasion"

 

Credits to source: https://www.wrmea.org/1995-december/abu-dhabi-has-been-converted-from-desert-land-to-a-land-of-gardens.html 

 

As we embark on the Desert Revival Initiative, let us draw inspiration from Sheikh Zayed's wisdom and the UAE's remarkable progress in reclaiming its desert land. Together, we can create a thriving, sustainable future that honors our past and empowers generations to come.