Aramco plans region’s first eco-park

Saudi Aramco is once again set to showcase its commitment to environmental protection by constructing the Kingdom’s first mangrove eco-park in Ras Tanura.
The project will also be the first of its kind in the region and is set to breathe fresh life into an essential component of the Kingdom’s ecosystem.
Mangroves are a natural habitat for marine organisms and serve as a breeding ground for shrimp, crab and fish species — the lifeblood of the Kingdom’s fishing industry.
Mangroves also absorb air pollutants and purify water by absorbing impurities and heavy metals. They are irreplaceable in maintaining the balance of Saudi Arabia’s marine environment.
The eco-park is part of the company’s effort to plant 1 million mangroves over the next five years — an unprecedented number in the Kingdom’s history.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is spearheading the project, which is scheduled to open in 2014. Khaled Al-Abdulkader of EPD said: “The eco-park will have a huge impact on environmental conservation. It will be open to visitors and will incorporate a boardwalk between mangrove trees. “It means everyone can live the experience firsthand. Educating the public is also a major driver for this project.” The eco-park will cover an area of 62 square km and be partially fenced and protected. Visitors will explore mangrove vegetation by strolling on a 1.5 km elevated boardwalk that takes them through the heart of the park.