Abu Dhabi, Dec.29th,2006 (WAM) -- The nationwide ''savethe ghaf tree'' campaign launched by the EWS-WWF in cooperationwith Al Fahim Group has evoked overwhelming response from bothpublic and popular circles.

EWS-WWF is a non-governmental organisation (NGO), whichworks at the federal level for the conservation of biodiversityin the UAE. They have initiated the ghaf conservation campaignwith the aim of raising the profile of the tree by creating anawareness of its ecological and cultural significance among thepeople. EWS-WWF believes that as a symbol of sustainable development and cultural identity in the UAE, the ghaf tree shouldbe respected and cherished as the National Tree of the UAE.

Through a number of communication channels including flyers,emails, direct mails and this website, UAE residents, includingschool students, are educated on the ghaf tree. They are thenencouraged to give their vote for the ghaf to be conferred withthe status of National Tree. The results of this poll will becommunicated to decision makers.

Scientists have long believed that ghaf tree in the UAEshould rightfully be declared National Monuments and be protected in light of their cultural, aesthetical and ecologicalsignificance to the UAE. Without such measures, the species'continual survival in the wild is questionable.

Razan Khalifa, Managing Director of Emirates WildlifeSociety and World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF),said the ghaf, popularly known as the 'umbrella tree','the tree of the dunes' and, scientifically, as Prosopis cineraria, has received due care from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as an indigenous evergreen desert tree belonging to the family that includes Acacia and Mimosa.

''Recognising its value, the late Sheikh Zayed gave thetree his personal patronage and protection.As a veteranenvironmentalist, Sheikh Zayed has planted the tree in the forestry projects he launched as part of his agricultural phiplosophy to spread greenery and fight desertification,''she added.

tree'' campaign was launched in recognition of the value andimportance of the desert tree in conservation and protectionof the local environment and fighting of desertification.

''The two-month long drive seeks to protect the rare tree from extinction in recognition of its historicdeep-rooted bond to the people of the region and its vital role in striking the eco-system balance,''she affirmed.

Today the ghaf tree is disappearing from Arabia- threatened by overgrazing, maimed by intensive loppingto provide forage, cut down to provide space for urban development and starved by the depletion of ground water dueto excessive extraction.But the largest threat to the tree isignorance.

She warned that the rare species were facing the dangerof disappearance due to ignorance of its ecological and heritagevalue, citing a combination of the effects of urban development,a shrinking habitat and human ignorance.

''Ignorance, excessive water extraction over-lopping, landclearance for developmental projects and overgrazing are thereal dangers threatening the ghaf,''she explained.

''What cannot be noticed or valued cannot be protected.

Like a large number of species on this planet, the ghaf too hasfallen victim to the effects of urban development and needs tobe protected. It needs our attention and our help to survive.

Unless we educate ourselves on the ghaf and come to appreciateits numerous qualities, we can not do enough to save it and theconnected desert wildlife from dying out, she explained..

As for the excessive water extraction, she added ''Ground wateris the major source of water for the ghaf which it needs to sustainitself. Unfortunately, ground water is also required to sustainurban development. This has led to excessive water extraction,which causes the groundwater to drop lower than the ghaf rootsare able to reach, which is deeper than the 30 meters the rootscan extend to. The ghaf doesn't use much water, but if thereis no water at all, it will die.

Over lopping The wood of the ghaf tree is perfect for fuel during a camp fireor a barbecue and is among the few trees accessible in the desert.

This has led to the mindless lopping of hundreds of trees everyyear. Intensive lopping for providing additional fodder for goatsand camels, especially during summer, is another major threat.

Given that the ghaf is a slow grower, over-lopping is extremelyharmful to its numbers.

Land clearance for developmental projectsMany ghaf trees among others are ruthlessly chopped down to makeway for modern projects in the desert. While development is essential,tree transplantation can be considered as an alternative in suchcases.

OvergrazingWith fewer and fewer trees available to feed the ravenous mouthsof livestock and wildlife, the load on each tree is getting heavierand heavier, resulting in the death of the tree. In some places,the ghaf has been completely eradicated without even a chanceof regeneration.

A number of events will take place in conjunction with 'savethe ghaf tree'campaign including presentations and competitions.

It is open to all UAE residents who would like to contributecreative works for 'the tree of the dunes'. A selection of theseworks will be displayed on the campaign website.

Planting ghaf saplings in the desert by EWS-WWF will take placein February 2007.

EWS-WWF urges school and university students and residents to participate in conserving the ghaf tree by promotingit as National Tree of the UAE.

Ghaf is indigenous to the UAE and grows in the driest of conditions.

But it is under threat. If we don't take action now, it may vanishfrom our desert. Here is how you can help!Using the ghaf tree as your theme and your creativity, imagination,artistic talent, advocacy and persuasive skills, develop anyone of the following:Paint/Sketch a pictureTell a taleMake a poster and give it a captionTake a photographCompose a letter to the authorities telling them why you thinkthe Ghaf should be UAE's National Tree The best pictures, tales, posters, photographsand letters will be uploaded on the savetheghaftree.org websitewith the names of winners.

These competitions aim at unleashing talent of all membersof the community to take the ghaf tree as a source of imaginationand creative sense.

In the advocacy competition, contestants are required tocompose a letter to the Minister of the Environment and Waterto persuade him facilitate the declaration of the ghaf asthe national tree of the UAE. The letter should not exceed 300words.

Deadline for receiving entries is 28 Feb.2007.

The ghaf tree is found in eastern part of Abu Dhabi Emirateextending northwards into Dubai and the northern emirates. Apartfrom the UAE, it is also found in other eastern desert regionsas well, such as Iran, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan.

Found growing individually as well as in small groups and woodlands,the ghaf is perfectly adapted to the arid desert environment.

It is supported by a remarkable extensive root system, whichcan reach depths of up to 30 meters to tap groundwater, developshoots when exposed to the air and even fertilise the soil byreleasing nitrogen when it dies or gets damaged. Additionally,with the ability to withstand prolonged drought and high salinity,it remains evergreen throughout the year - a quality that placesit extremely high in the desert ecosystem.

In days gone by, the ghaf has been the unfailing crop - an essentialfood source for indigenous peoples, domestic animals and wildlife.

In hot summer months, and particularly during periods of drought,it is known to have been the only source of food and shade forwild and domestic animals. In fact, the ghaf is often been referredto as nature?s version of air conditioning, before the oil boom.

Even in these modern times, people use ghaf wood for constructingthatched houses, cattle sheds, culverts etc. Dead trees and stumpsare used as fuel wood, especially during barbecues. Their beautyand durability have even earned them a place as avenue and ornamentaltrees in the city.

Arab people and the ghaf go a long way back to when theBedouins led a nomadic existence in the desert. As the generousprovider of shelter, shade, food and medicine for both man andanimal, the ghaf was treated as a member of the Bedouin family,loved, cherished and highly respected.

The ghaf played an integral part in almost every aspect of theBedouin's lifestyle. Camel camps were always located in ghafgroves for a variety of reasons. They provided shade for bothman and animal in the hot summer months.

Its wood provided fuel and timber while its leaves were fodderfor livestock. These leaves and pods even became a regular ingredientin the Bedouins salads. The Bedouins also enjoyed the high qualityhoney that the bees made from ghaf. The ghaf also often playeddoctor due to its numerous medicinal qualities, which are famouslyknown to cure everything from dysentery to leucoderma.

The medical qualities of the tree are legendary.The flowermixed with sugar is used to prevent miscarriages, extract ofthe bark is known to cure leprosy, dysentery, bronchits, asthma,rheumatism and muscle tremors.Even the smoke from its leavesis known to cure eye infections. It is due to all these valuablequalities the late Sheikh Zayed lent the tree his special careand attention.

With the large role played by the ghaf in their history,the Arab people will always have an innate love and respect forthe ghaf. No one better appreciated the tree's value to Arabculture and heritage than the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan AlNahyan, a true conservationist. Besides preservingexisting natural vegetation, Sheikh Zayed undertook extensiveplantations, including ghaf and other native species, in both