DOHA - The Friends of Environment Centre (FEC) has formally announced "Al Salem" (acacia ehrenbergiana) as the plant of the year under its "A Flower Each Spring" programme. "Al Salem" is the 10th indigenous flower to be promoted by FEC under the programme.
Announcing the name of the flower at a mass gathering of green activists and school students in Shahaniya yesterday, Dr Saif Al Hajri, Chairperson of FEC, said the indigenous plant is very important for Qatar's flora.
"Al Salem" is a much branched tall shrub or small tree with a green or brown, smooth, shining peeling bark with gold-yellow flowers. It has thorn 4-6 cm long, white, straight set out in auxiliary pairs, longer than the adjacent leaves. Al Salem's leaves are small with 8-12 pairs of leaflets. The flowers have 1-1.5cm diametre heads. The plant is one of the most drought-tolerant among the acacias genus.
"Al Salem is an important plant in Qatar's flora. The Friends of Environment Centre will carry out a year-long campaign to highlight the importance of protecting the precious plant," Dr Saif Al Hajri said. The launch of Al Salem was coincided with the concluding ceremony of last year's 'Aqool'. Al Salem plant with flowers
Green activists, the companies which supported FEC's 2007 campaign and hundreds of school students participated at the function. Al Hajri gave away certificates and mementos to the winners of various competitions and the heads of the companies that supported FEC's cause during the year 2007.
Launched by H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned a decade ago, "A Flower Each Spring" is the annual programme designed to educate children and young people about Qatar's flora. A different flower native to Qatar is studied each year; themes so far have included Shafallah, Ain Al Qot, Awsaj, Sidra, Qurm, Samr, Ghaf, Qataf and Aqool.
The programme is based on learning through recreations. Weekend field trips led by volunteers take groups of young people and their families to a site where a particular flower grows. Through hands-on experience, activities and printed material, the children gain knowledge of the flowers and the environments in which they grow.
Children are encouraged to share their knowledge with parents and other adults. The year long programme is also marked by competitions, exhibitions and media campaigns.
© The Peninsula 2008
