Katara is cultural partner of National Black Tree drive

The Al Shabhana Environmental Association has launched a campaign titled ‘Qatar’s National Black Tree’, of which Katara – the Cultural Village Foundation is the cultural partner.
Katara general manager of Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti launched the campaign in the presence of Al Shabhana Environmental Association co-founder Abdullah Khalid al-Khater, former Minister of Justice Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim and Qatar Post chairman Faleh Mohamed al-Naeimi. A number of artists, members of the association and other interested individuals were also present. Following the planting of a black tree as part of the campaign, Dr al-Sulaiti said: “Katara, the cultural partner of this campaign, is eager to organise and launch such campaigns with the aim of highlighting the importance of biodiversity, the cultivation process for desert trees, especially the black tree. It is a well-known regional plant that is characterised by its unique shape, strength and stability.”
The black tree is planted at different places in the deserts of Qatar, and its qualities are similar to those of the country: proud and stable, one that is able to withstand any condition, it was observed.
He expressed hope that the campaign would be further extended to include more regions in Qatar.
On his part, al-Khater said: “With the support of the Cultural Village and in co-operation with Qur’anic Botanic Garden at Qatar Foundation and Nomas Centre, Al Shabhana Association has launched this campaign.
It entails a wide number of activities, which include tree planting. Some 130 trees have been planted and more than 400 black tree seedlings have been distributed.”
Cultural awareness activities will be organised in the presence of the campaign’s ambassadors, artists Salman al-Malik and Khalifa al-Obaidli, who have led a number of technical workshops and whose paintings will be used at an upcoming exhibition, he added. The Al Shabhana Association was established in April 2016 and works towards combating all forms of environmental pollution and vandalism, as well as planting and spreading endangered plants and wild trees in Qatar.
It also aims to enhance the role of young people in the protection and conservation of natural resources and strengthen environmental sustainability through meaningful community partnerships, affirming its mission that Qatar’s environment must be protected and preserved in all its components, according to a press statement.