National Tree Week… an Opportunity to remind us of the Role of Trees in Achieving Environmental Balance and Contributing to Overcoming Environmental Challenges

Tree-planting operations began yesterday, Friday, across the entire national territory, under the direct supervision and high patronage of His Excellency President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, as part of the national tree week program, which is celebrated on the first of August each year under the slogan: ‘Let’s work for a green Mauritania’.

This anniversary was marked by the organization of display panels by the central administrations, institutions, and projects affiliated with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, aimed at drawing attention to the strenuous efforts made in the field of nature conservation, land restoration, and biodiversity preservation, with special emphasis on the role of trees in addressing environmental and climate challenges.

Among the displayed paintings during the launch ceremony of the National Tree Week activities are those related to the efforts made by the Directorate of Environmental Assessment and Control regarding modern equipment for environmental monitoring by this directorate, which is the main body for environmental control.

This equipment includes fixed stations for measuring air and soil quality, water resource analysis kits, devices for detecting heavy metals, and systems for monitoring industrial waste, allowing for a transition from estimated oversight to precise process monitoring based on reliable data.In this regard, a reference status for micro-pollutants in marine and coastal areas has been prepared in collaboration with the Mauritanian Institute of Ocean Research and Fishing, the ONISPA laboratory, and the University of Nouakchott.

Studies have also been conducted on air quality in the industrial areas of Toujinine and the port, and a pilot project has been implemented for the recovery of mercury vapors in the city of al-Shami.

The Director of Environmental Assessment and Monitoring at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ms. Khadija Mint Asnih, explained in a meeting with the Mauritanian News Agency that a monitoring and early warning system will be launched in the coming stages, especially in areas most exposed to industrial pollution risks in both Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, in addition to mining areas in Inchiri and Tiris Zemmour, as well as in agricultural areas along the riverbank.

He pointed out that thanks to this equipment, Mauritania has strengthened its monitoring capabilities to combat pollution and protect its citizens.

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall participated in this exhibition with panels reflecting its afforestation and direct seeding program for the year 2025, which reached 500 hectares of afforestation, 587 hectares of seeding, and 2913 hectares of direct seeding, totaling 4000 hectares.

The seeding operations include the regions of: Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Tagant, Brakna, and Trarza, as they are the regions through which the path of the African Great Green Wall Agency passes.

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall is responsible for implementing the Mauritanian part of the African Great Green Wall initiative, which is considered one of the leading continental initiatives aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, achieving sustainable development, and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities in the face of climate change.

The National Park of Diawling also participated in the exhibition titled: ‘Mangrove Trees: A Treasure of Biodiversity that Must Be Protected.’

It also participated in the investment project in coastal areas of West Africa, ‘Waka’, through a presentation explaining the environmental, economic, and social functions of the tree.

It is noted that the activities of National Tree Week commenced with the planting of about 1,400 shade and ornamental shrubs along the paved road connecting the “Barad” intersection to the traditional fishermen’s market on the southwestern beach of the capital, Nouakchott, over a distance of seven kilometers. The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development is responsible for providing the seedlings, while the National Union of Mauritanian Employers takes care of watering, maintaining, and overseeing the planting operations in this location.

The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development has prepared a reforestation program with its regional delegations, which have nurseries for producing seedlings with varying production capacities.

This effort reflects the commitment of the top authorities in the country to embody the slogan of the National Tree Week ‘Let’s work for a green Mauritania’ in reality, through intensive afforestation of all regions of the country during this week and beyond, especially during the rainy season to benefit from the rainfall.