Qatar’s Mangroves: A Journey Through Nature’s Coastal Guardians; Guided by Eng. Azzam Al-Mannai. A short documentary invites you into the world of Qatar’s mangroves—a landscape of resilience.
At the heart of Qatar’s northeastern coast lies the Al Thakira/Al Dhakira mangrove forest, one of the country’s most important and diverse ecosystems. These coastal forests play a vital role in protecting Qatar’s environment, acting as a natural barrier against the effects of climate change and offering critical ecological services.
In this documentary, Qatari wildlife and underwater photographer, Eng. Azzam Al-Mannai, takes viewers on a visual journey through the mangroves. The film, launched during the Earthna Summit in April 2025, showcases the rich biodiversity that thrives in these habitats, from marine life to migratory birds, and highlights the beauty and importance of preserving these ecosystems.
The Role of Mangroves in Climate and Ecosystem Resilience
Mangroves are among the most valuable and productive ecosystems in the world. In Qatar, they serve several essential functions:
• They protect coastal areas by stabilising shorelines and reducing erosion.
• They provide a safe habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife.
• They absorb and store carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
• They contribute to sustainable livelihoods and environmental education.
• They offer natural solutions for adapting to rising sea levels and other climate-related challenges.
Despite their importance, more than thirty-five percent of the world’s mangroves have been lost, making restoration and conservation efforts urgent.
Earthna’s restoration efforts
To protect these critical coastal ecosystems, the Earthna team launched a mangrove restoration project in 2024. This ongoing initiative is being carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. It is designed to restore degraded mangrove areas and preserving their biodiversity for future generations.
Learn more and get involved
This documentary is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Qatar’s natural environment. It also serves as an educational tool for children and families to better understand the role of mangroves in supporting life on land and at sea. We invite you to watch the film and explore our lesson plan designed to engage young learners in the science and significance of mangroves. Download the lesson plan.