UAE desert - in pictures

  • The UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, inspects villages along the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road in 1976. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    The UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, inspects villages along the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road in 1976. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • The Khab Al Dahs forest, near Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region, is known for its ghaf trees. Ravindranath K / The National
    The Khab Al Dahs forest, near Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region, is known for its ghaf trees. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Ghaf trees provide shade in Abu Dhabi. It is a drought-tolerant tree, which can remain green even in harsh desert environments.
    Ghaf trees provide shade in Abu Dhabi. It is a drought-tolerant tree, which can remain green even in harsh desert environments.
  • Dubai firm Terraplus says it uses underground tech to water palm trees, which it claims could save up to a trillion litres of water each year in the UAE if widely adopted by date farmers. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Dubai firm Terraplus says it uses underground tech to water palm trees, which it claims could save up to a trillion litres of water each year in the UAE if widely adopted by date farmers. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Over the years, Abu Dhabi has been promoting sustainable food production in greenhouses. This is a greenhouse at Al Foah farm, Al Ain, that grows raspberries. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Over the years, Abu Dhabi has been promoting sustainable food production in greenhouses. This is a greenhouse at Al Foah farm, Al Ain, that grows raspberries. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A farm in Al Ghail, Ras Al Khaimah. Reem Mohammed / The National
    A farm in Al Ghail, Ras Al Khaimah. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • A lush green farm in Wadi Kub, Ras Al Khaimah. Reem Mohammed / The National
    A lush green farm in Wadi Kub, Ras Al Khaimah. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • This local farm supplies organic produce to cafes. Photo: Alif Cafe
    This local farm supplies organic produce to cafes. Photo: Alif Cafe
  • A farm in Ras Al Khaimah. Leslie Pableo / The National
    A farm in Ras Al Khaimah. Leslie Pableo / The National
  • Passion fruit grows at Abu Dhabi Organic Farm, which is just 15km from Abu Dhabi International Airport. It focuses on growing salad vegetables but also produces citrus, mulberry, strawberries and figs. Andrew Henderson / The National
    Passion fruit grows at Abu Dhabi Organic Farm, which is just 15km from Abu Dhabi International Airport. It focuses on growing salad vegetables but also produces citrus, mulberry, strawberries and figs. Andrew Henderson / The National
  • A worker ties young cucumber plants at Modern Organic Farm in Al Dhaid, Sharjah. Sarah Dea / The National
    A worker ties young cucumber plants at Modern Organic Farm in Al Dhaid, Sharjah. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Right next to the Hajar Mountains, Al Hayer forest, or Wadi Ma'ad as the locals call it, has plenty of Ghaf trees and small animal farms. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Right next to the Hajar Mountains, Al Hayer forest, or Wadi Ma'ad as the locals call it, has plenty of Ghaf trees and small animal farms. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • Abu Dhabi has added parks and landscaping to make the city green. The Emirates-Netherlands Sunflower Walkway, in the capital’s Corniche, is one such area. Victor Besa / The National
    Abu Dhabi has added parks and landscaping to make the city green. The Emirates-Netherlands Sunflower Walkway, in the capital’s Corniche, is one such area. Victor Besa / The National