The evergreen tree of the desert is the Ghaf tree. It is a drought tolerant tree. It can withstand the harsh desert environment and remain green. The tree can live up to 120 years and its presence indicates the fact that there is underground water.

The tree has many uses such as it can combat desertification and improve soil fertility in arid conditions. It is also an essential food source, fuel source, provides shelter and medicines to both animal and human beings. Bedouins sought the ghaf tree seeds and its leaves. They used that instead of rice. It can withstand drought and can tap water deep in the sands. The sweet pulp also known as khoka are eaten by all and even salads can be made from the ghaf tree leaves. Apart from that, the tree provides medicinal properties and wood for construction purposes.

The ghaf tree is under threat due to climate change, overgrazing by camels, urbanization, and overuse of its resources.

Several measures are being taken by many government and private agencies to protect the tree. Organizations such as Goumbook, a UAE based social enterprise is raising awareness about the problem and have launched the “Give a Ghaf” tree-planting program.

Another campaign called “Save the Ghaf Tree” was launched by Emirates Wildlife Society and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It aims to make the endangered tree a national symbol of UAE.

As an initiative for the Year of Tolerance, I and my sister had planted ghaf seeds at Origin Market, The Sustainable City, Dubai along with the organizer Goumbook and Origin.

Let us save our soil along with the plantation of ghaf seeds and save our future!