The ghaf (Prosopis cineraria) forms an
integral part of Arabia's desert and
the human culture that developed
there. A hardy, evergreen tree that survives
harsh environmental conditions, it can
tolerate searing temperatures, sandstorms,
drought, salinity and alkalinity. It has been
a boon to both man and animal in the
Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia as well
as in Iran and, further east, in the desert
belts of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
Ghaf grows on low sand dunes,
undulating sand sheets, gravel plains,
and some wadi beds across much of
the eastern UAE. The trees sport a
characteristic umbrella shape with typically
long, drooping branches which, at the canopy base are, more often than not,
intensively grazed by camels into an
even line. Ghaf groves can be found
scattered in the east of Abu Dhabi
Emirate, including Al Ain, and through
much of the northern emirates, as far
as Ra's al-Khaimah.
The tree is well adapted to the
desert - its extensive root system
reach 30 – 60 metres deep into the
ground to tap aquifers, while also
spreading laterally to help stabilise
dunes, fight desertification, and
nourish the soil by fixing atmospheric
nitrogen. Its unique reproductive
system enables it to reproduce
sexually through seeds as well as
vegetatively through root suckers.
Dewfall has been recorded as being
greater in the vicinity of ghaf trees,
and dew is, of course, the most
frequently occurring form of freshwater
for desert life.
Desert inhabitants have had a long
and rewarding relationship with the
ghaf. Local Bedouins recount their
past nomadic existence when the
ghaf was their trusted, and often only,
source of nutrition and medication.
More besides – shelter, shade and
wood for the fire, the ghaf provided
it all. Older UAE citizens speak
affectionately, almost poetically, about
the tree, referring to it as a family
member and nature's air conditioning
before the oil boom.
The ghaf is truly a whole natural
world in itself, providing a vital source
of food and shelter for rare species
adapted to desert life. Key among
these are the birds, such as the
Desert Eagle Owl, which often nests
in ghaf trees, and the Long-legged
Buzzard. While raptors perch on its
branches to wait for prey, geckos
rest in crevices of its bark, gerbils dig
burrows between its roots and desert
hares, oryx and gazelles rest in its
shade during the hottest hours. Bees
draw nectar from ghaf flowers, cicadas
extracts juice from its bark, ungulates
feed on fruits and leaves, and smaller
birds consume insects hidden in
branches and leaves.
The ghaf is indigenous to the
UAE, a natural provider and one that is additionally a powerful symbol of
tradition, culture and natural heritage.
It should enjoy protection, especially
because of its importance in our deserts
with their low bio-capacity. The late
President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed,
made it illegal to cut down ghaf trees
and also had them pla nted in thousands
in Abu Dhabi alone.
Today however, the startling
pace of development and spiraling
population is posing a new threat to
our ghaf trees. Fodder removal for
grazing and coppicing are limiting
ghaf regeneration. The camel is the
main herbivore, and with 250, 000 of
them grazing in the UAE, there is little
chance for the ghaf to survive their
voracious appetites. Groundwater
supplies are dwindling on account of
an increase in the number and size
of farms using irrigation; and the
ghaf is losing its essential moisture
requirement. As if this was not enough,
urban expansion too is closing in on
many of the country's most extensive
groves of ghaf trees.
The Emirates Wildlife Society in
association with the WWF, (EWSWWF),
has now joined hands with the
Al Fahim Group to mount a campaign
for the ghaf to be designated as the
UAE's national tree in an attempt
to ensure that it is conserved and
protected. The campaign, run through
educational materials – flyers, posters
and direct mailers – and a website
www.savetheghaftree.org, asks all UAE
residents to log in, and to learn about
this remarkable tree. Those doing so
can plant a sapling in a virtual garden
and, most importantly, cast a vote
online in a ballot box for the ghaf to be
named as the national tree of the UAE.
EWS-WWF and Al Fahim have
committed to planting one real ghaf
plant in the desert for every 10
saplings planted in the virtual garden.
At the end of the campaign, a petition,
supported by the number of votes
cast, will be submitted to the Minister
of Environment & Water stating the
case for ghaf to be the UAE's national
tree. This status, we hope, will help
protect the ghaf through legislative,
administrative and scientific means. We
look forward to members of the British
Business Group playing their part.
Rashmi De Roy works with the Emirates Wildlife Society – World Wide Fund for Nature, EWS-WWF
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