Doha: A delegation from the Quranic Botanic Garden (QBG), affiliated with Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), recently completed a scientific visit to Jordan, engaging with representatives from key regional institutions specializing in plant biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. The visit aimed to share expertise and establish partnerships that bolster plant conservation efforts and safeguard the Arab botanical heritage.
According to Qatar News Agency, the visit commenced with a tour of the Royal Botanic Garden Jordan (RBG), a prominent institution for conserving wild plants. The delegation gained insights into RBG's comprehensive approach to documenting living collections, conserving seeds and threatened species, and propagating them in specialized nurseries to aid ecosystem restoration. Both QBG and RBG exchanged botanical specimens, including herbarium and seeds of endangered species.
The delegation also visited the Wadi Association for Sustainable Ecosystems Development, where they observed advanced nurseries dedicated to propagating native wild plant species in Al-Salt. Discussions centered on rehabilitating degraded natural sites and restoring vegetation cover through collaboration with local communities and relevant agricultural authorities in Jordan.
At the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Regional Office for West Asia (IUCN ROWA), the team explored the organization's initiatives across West Asia, including programs in Qatar. They also discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation in dryland conservation, prepare Red Lists for threatened species, and organize restoration initiatives under the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Director of QBG Fatima Saleh Al Khulaifi commented on the visit, stating: "We were delighted to learn from the pioneering experiences of the Royal Botanic Garden Jordan, Wadi Association, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature in plant conservation and ecosystem restoration."
She added that the visit is part of efforts to fulfill the Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan and translate the partnership into practical initiatives supporting effective approaches to conserving plant biodiversity.