SUHAR: Young volunteers, students and families gathered along Wadi Al Jahawer in the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq, transforming open land into a living classroom of sustainability. The initiative reflects a growing shift in mindset, where environmental awareness is no longer limited to knowledge alone but is evolving into daily practice - empowering youth to become active stewards of their environment rather than passive consumers.
The campaign, under the Environment Authority in Al Batinah North Governorate, forms part of the national initiative to plant 10 million wild trees. At its core lies an ambitious target: sowing three million seeds along the banks of Wadi Al Jahawer, transforming the area into a thriving ecological corridor while strengthening biodiversity and expanding vegetation cover.
What sets this campaign apart is its strong community-centred approach. Students from local schools, including Al Rosouk Basic Education School, Fatima bint Al Nabi School, and Jaber bin Abdullah Al Ansari School, worked side by side with volunteers, municipal teams, and civil society groups. Youth teams such as Al Mabrah and Al Suhool Sports Cultural Clubs added momentum, while private sector participation, including MK Prints, reflected a growing culture of shared environmental responsibility.
Nasser al Yaqoubi, Director-General of Environment in Al Batinah North, emphasised that such initiatives go beyond tree planting. He noted that empowering communities — especially young people — to actively participate is key to achieving long-term sustainability goals.
“When youth become partners in environmental action, the impact extends far beyond the planting season,” he said, highlighting the importance of collective engagement in improving quality of life.
Meanwhile, Hamoud al Harrasi, Head of the Environment Centre in Al Suwaiq, described the campaign as a practical step towards restoring natural habitats. He stressed that involving schools and community groups helps embed environmental awareness into everyday life, nurturing a generation that values and protects green spaces.
Adding a personal perspective, Rahma al Kiyoumi, a parent who attended the campaign with her children, expressed appreciation for such initiatives. “These activities are shaping our children’s mindset in a powerful way,” she said.
“Instead of just learning about the environment in books, they are experiencing how to protect it with their own hands. This is how we raise a generation that gives back to nature, not one that only takes from it.”
Beyond its environmental goals, the campaign sends a broader message: sustainability begins at the community level. By transforming awareness into action, Al Suwaiq is not only planting seeds in the soil, but also cultivating a culture where youth lead the way in protecting and sustaining the environment for generations to come.
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