International Center for Biosaline Agriculture signs cooperation agreement with Conscious Planet Movement to Save Soil

• Published date: 18 May 2022
• Publication title: LETA

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and the Conscious Planet Movement to Save Soil (Conscious Planet) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to initiate cooperation in protecting food-producing agricultural soil in the UAE from degradation.

In the presence of Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Prof. Khaled Amiri, a member of ICBA's Board of Directors, and global visionary Sadhguru, founder of Conscious Planet, signed the agreement during Sadhguru's visit to Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi. After the signing, Sadhguru, Mariam Almheiri, Prof. Khaled Amiri, and several VIP guests participated in mangrove planting, organized by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) in cooperation with Jubail Island within the framework of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, which was launched recently and aims to enhance mangrove habitats as part of the UAE's blue carbon ecosystems.

The visit was part of Sadhguru's agenda during the UAE stop on his 'Journey to Save Soil' from London to the southern tip of India, spanning 100 days, 30,000 kilometers, and 27 countries. Through his solo motorcycle trip, he aims to address the soil crisis by bringing together people from around the world to stand up for soil health and supporting leaders in developing and implementing national policies to save soil. The UAE leg of Sadhguru's journey will culminate with a large-scale public event at Dubai World Trade Centre on May 20 that is expected to attract 10,000 people.

Highlighting the importance of the MoU, Mariam Almheiri said: "The harsh environmental conditions in the UAE, including high temperatures, high evaporation rates, limited and irregular rainfall, and the fragile structure and low natural fertility of soil, are natural drivers of soil degradation. Desert accounts for more than 80 percent of our country's territory, which makes us all the more cautious to preserve our soil and the vital ecosystem services it provides. The collaboration with Conscious Planet is a new step in our ongoing efforts to safeguard our precious soil for the next generations."

Sadhguru said: "It is not the rain that...