Over 1,800 Ghaf trees planted to protect Tahnoun bin Mohammed Road from sand storms

Al Ain City Municipality completed a 14-kilometre windbreak project on Friday, 21 August, planting 1,807 ghaf trees along Tahnoun bin Mohammed Road to mitigate sand encroachment and protect motorists. The green barrier is engineered to reduce drifting sand by up to 90 per cent in shielded areas. Infrastructure Protection and Safety The project uses the ghaf tree, the UAE’s national tree, due to its resilience in desert climates. By creating a dense natural corridor, the municipality aims to lower wind speeds and restrict the movement of sand across the motorway, which frequently affects visibility and road safety for commuters between Al Ain and Dubai. Technical assessments conducted by the municipality indicate that the windbreaks will reduce sand accumulation by 70 to 90 per cent, depending on local wind direction and the density of the growth. Project manager Al Yazia Rashid Al Neyadi stated that the initiative serves as a natural defence for infrastructure and nearby residential zones. The project was confirmed as complete on Friday, 21 August, following the installation of a high-efficiency irrigation system designed to minimise water waste while maintaining the long-term health of the 1,807 trees. Environmental and Road Impact Beyond road safety, the green belt is expected to reduce noise pollution for adjacent communities. The municipality is implementing a specific maintenance programme to ensure the barrier remains effective against sandstorms, which are a…