Abu Dhabi, UAE – In a significant stride towards environmental sustainability, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has successfully completed its 2025 native seed dispersal programme. In partnership with UK-based environmental restoration company Dendra, EAD utilized custom-designed drones to distribute 6.5 million native seeds across 320 hectares of nature reserves, marking one of the largest drone-based seeding operations in the emirate.
The initiative focused on enhancing biodiversity in areas such as Jebel Hafit National Park and Qasr Al Sarab Nature Reserve. Seeds from native species, including Samar (Vachellia tortilis), Moringa (Moringa peregrina), and Panicum (Panicum turgidum), were dispersed to restore and enrich the natural habitats. The use of drone technology allowed for efficient coverage of vast and often inaccessible terrains, minimizing environmental disturbance and accelerating the restoration process.
Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, stated, “We successfully implemented one of the largest drone-based seeding operations ever undertaken in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, within a notably short timeframe. This achievement is in line with Abu Dhabi’s Climate Change Strategy and covered a total of 320 hectares of habitat, many of which were seeded for the first time.”
Post-dispersal, EAD plans to monitor the growth and health of the vegetation using AI-powered sensors and advanced monitoring technologies. This continuous assessment will provide valuable data on the effectiveness of the seeding programme and inform future environmental management strategies.
This initiative builds upon the natural rangeland study programmes launched by the Agency in 2024 and continues into 2025. These efforts aim to establish a comprehensive, field-based assessment of current vegetation conditions, serving as a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of grazing regulations and other environmental management measures across the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The successful completion of this programme underscores EAD’s commitment to leveraging innovative technologies in environmental conservation and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in combating climate change and preserving terrestrial ecosystems.
For more information on EAD’s environmental initiatives, visit their official website.
