The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) recently showcased its advanced drone technology for mangrove cultivation in Bahrain as part of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative (ADMI). This technology was developed in collaboration with Nabat, a climate tech company launched by the Advanced Technology Research Council’s commercial arm, VentureOne.
The demonstration took place during a visit by an EAD delegation to Bahrain, where they presented this innovative experience to Mohammed bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s commitment to promoting environmental collaboration and knowledge exchange in the region.
EAD’s Commitment to Environmental Restoration
Ahmed Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, highlighted the agency’s success in rehabilitating 17,600 hectares of mangrove ecosystems. He emphasized that deploying drone technology in partnership with Nabat will amplify the regional impact and position Abu Dhabi as a center of excellence in environmental restoration.
“Our collaboration with Bahrain reflects our commitment to sharing expertise and supporting projects that establish principles of regional environmental work and nature conservation,” said Al Hashemi.
Innovative Drone Technology by Nabat
The drone-based planting method uses AI-powered autonomous drones to plant mangroves, offering several advantages such as:
- Low environmental footprint
- Cost-effectiveness and efficiency
- Scalability for large-scale projects
Nabat’s technology, developed by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), ensures that mangrove restoration is data-driven and customized to each unique habitat.
Regional Impact and Future Goals
EAD’s mangrove-planting efforts contribute significantly to the UAE’s ambitious goal of planting 100 million mangrove trees by 2030. These efforts also align with the UAE-led Mangrove Alliance for Climate, promoting nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change.
Reda Nidhakou, Acting CEO at VentureOne, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with EAD, stating:
“EAD’s ecological expertise has been invaluable in fine-tuning our technology, making ecosystem restoration scalable and customizable. We are committed to supporting Abu Dhabi’s leadership in using technology to address global challenges.”
