Maintenance and Services Department launches the fifth phase of the "Qassim Green Earth" initiative

The General Department of Maintenance and Services, in cooperation with the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Qassim region, launched today, Monday, corresponding to 29/2/1441 AH, the fifth phase of the initiative launched by His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the region, under the slogan «Qassim Land is Green,» at the main entrance of the university city, under the patronage of His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University.
This phase was inaugurated in the presence of the Vice President of the University, Dr. Mohammed Al-Saoui, the Director General of the Environment, Water, and Agriculture Branch in Al-Qassim, Engineer Salman bin Jarallah Al-Suwae', the Vice President for Educational Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Al-Othaib, the Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Turki, the Vice President for Planning, Development, and Quality, Professor Dr. Khalid Al-Harbi, and a number of university staff and students.
Engineer Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Dali, the General Supervisor of Maintenance and Services, said during his speech following the launch of the campaign: "This phase targets the planting of 5,000 saplings brought in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment. These saplings will be planted in stages according to what has been prepared in a number of locations, including student parking lots and some internal streets within the university city. He noted that last year witnessed the planting of more than 10,000 diverse trees, including palm trees, shade trees, and citrus trees, which were planted in locations near colleges and buildings suitable for planting such trees.".
Al-Dali said: "The Maintenance and Services Department, with the support of His Excellency the University President and the Vice President, is always keen to plant the largest possible number of trees to make the university city green, and to decorate its sides, squares, and streets to be a green oasis." He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to the staff of the Ministry's branch and the university staff for their attendance and encouragement of this initiative.
For his part, Eng. Salman bin Jarallah Al-Suwainaa, Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Branch in Al-Qassim, confirmed that preparations for this campaign were made based on the directives of His Highness the Prince of the region. Over the past four phases, more than 300,000 trees have been planted. He explained that this fifth phase, which begins today at Qassim University, aims to plant approximately 100,000 seedlings in the region, noting that all these seedlings – praise be to God – are produced from the nurseries of the Al-Qassim region branch.
"Al-Suwainae" explained that this campaign works to increase the participation of male and female students to develop their culture of environmental awareness. He pointed out that the region has witnessed the establishment of an environmental committee, which is the first of its kind in the Kingdom. He indicated that this experience has been generalized and a royal order has been issued stating that all regional councils will operate similarly to what was done in Qassim, by establishing an independent committee named the Environmental Committee.
Next, Eng. Saud Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri, a faculty member in the Food Manufacturing Technology and Chemical Laboratories department and a researcher in environmental affairs, spoke about the extent of attention our country gives to the environment, its development, preservation, and sustainability, making it one of the pillars of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This aims to raise awareness of environmental problems and educate the public to face the real challenge in light of increasing environmental issues and challenges, which requires great concerted efforts to achieve this goal. He emphasized that the growing awareness of environmental issues in our society makes us feel proud and responsible for the importance of preserving and protecting the environment, entrenching the concept of sustainable development, and adhering to the environmental laws and regulations in place locally. This is the fruit of the efforts of government agencies, research societies, and environmental researchers.
At the end of the ceremony, the University Vice President, Dr. Muhammad Al-Saoui, honored the campaign participants, and the fifth phase of the "Qassim is Green" initiative's distribution convoy was launched.