ABU DHABI // The municipality plans to have 40 per cent more green space in Abu Dhabi by 2014, but residents across the capital are worried the city is hindering its own progress.
In the first few months of this year there have been more tree removal crews on city streets, and residents are puzzled and unhappy about what the municipality is calling "beautification efforts".
Rebekah Jamieson has lived in Abu Dhabi for 14 years, and said she was shocked to see the scale tree removal operations have reached.
"They're indiscriminately cutting down these beautiful trees," said Mrs Jamieson, 40, from the UK. "They're lopping them down. This is not a case of pruning; it's a case of butchering."
Mrs Jamieson said she has questioned crews uprooting greenery in the area of Khaleej al Arabi and 11th Street, but they do not have answers.
The municipality has said the pruning, which is continuing, is part of routine beautification maintenance aimed at keeping up the appearance of the city. Officials have said trees are removed only when they are diseased, dying or a danger to surrounding buildings.
Residents across the capital reported seeing more trees taken down this year than ever before. J N, 43, an Indian who lives near 15th Street and Al Karamah, said she was shocked to see all the greenery in her neighbourhood unceremoniously removed two weeks ago. "Every year, they came to chop the bushes, but this was different," she said. "This was a huge tree in front of a school that provided shade to children, and it was one of 10 trees they just cut down."
Earlier this month, municipal officials said that trees are sometimes cut down at the request of residents, who complain that the overgrown branches are unsightly, especially in residential areas and between villas.
As part of the Asematy campaign, which encourages residents to beautify their own areas, the municipality is working with communities to "rid suburbs and streets of these practices that distort the urbanised appearance of the city and undermine the security, safety, health and environment".
Linda Scholz, who lives in Al Bateen, called the tree removal a crime. "These trees are full of birds," said Mrs Scholz, an American. "They provide shade and privacy for my house. It's terrible what they're doing. Up until now, it's been mostly pruning, but to cut down an entire beautiful tree is unacceptable."
Many residents said the increased tree-trimming was especially upsetting considering the dedication of Sheikh Zayed to planting millions of trees in the emirates. "If Sheikh Zayed were still alive, this would never happen," Mrs Scholz said.
For J N, a self-proclaimed "flower lady", the destruction of the greenery is "a shame" after 25 years of watching trees and plants grow out of the desert landscape.
"If anyone comes to my neighbourhood, they won't even recognise my house," she said.
"It used to be so green, and now it really does look like the desert."
jthomas@thenational.ae
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
Racecard:
2.30pm: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoun Emirates Breeders Society Challenge; Conditions (PA); Dh40,000; 1,600m
3pm: Handicap; Dh80,000; 1,800m
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Mile Prep Rated Conditions; Dh110,000; 1,600m
4pm: Handicap; Dh95,000; 1,950m
4.30pm: Maiden; Dh65,000; 1,400m
5pm: Handicap; Dh85,000; 1,200m
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
PRESIDENTS CUP
Draw for Presidents Cup fourball matches on Thursday (Internationals first mention). All times UAE:
02.32am (Thursday): Marc Leishman/Joaquin Niemann v Tiger Woods/Justin Thomas
02.47am (Thursday): Adam Hadwin/Im Sung-jae v Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay
03.02am (Thursday): Adam Scott/An Byeong-hun v Bryson DeChambeau/Tony Finau
03.17am (Thursday): Hideki Matsuyama/CT Pan v Webb Simpson/Patrick Reed
03.32am (Thursday): Abraham Ancer/Louis Oosthuizen v Dustin Johnson/Gary Woodland
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Who is Tim-Berners Lee?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.