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Green Hope UAE planted 50 tree saplings on UAE's 17th National Environment Day in Garhoud
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 13 Feb 2014: Green Hope UAE planted 50 tree saplings to commemorate of UAE's 17th National Environmental Day, on 5th February. The saplings were planted in an open area in Garhoud. The plants belong to a species called ‘Jatropha', which not only survive, but thrive in the hot climatic conditions of UAE.
“We feel that as responsible members of the society, we must do our bit from the environment. The famous environmentalist Robert Swan once said, - ‘The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.' We want to change this apathy through our actions,” said Kehkashan Basu, the founder of Green Hope UAE, adding that four group members joined her to plant the saplings. Kehkashan Basu is also UNEP's (United Nations Environment Program) youngest Global Co-ordinator for children and youth.
Green Hope UAE has planted over 500 saplings in the last 6 months as a part of their campaign to stop land degradation, since tree planting is one of the most effective ways of combating it. Additionally, tree planting also reduces the carbon footprint and contributes positively to climate change.
About Kehkashan Basu
Kehkashan Basu is a 13 year old environmental and social activist living in Dubai UAE. Born on 5th June - which is also World Environment Day, she is UNEP's (United Nations Environment Programme) Global Coordinator for Children & Youth and a member of its Major Groups Facilitating Committee. She is also the Global President of the Children's Board for Plant-for-the-Planet, the Youth Advisor of World Future Council and the Chairperson of the UAE chapter of the International Youth Council. Kehkashan is the founder of a youth organization, GREEN HOPE UAE, which seeks to provide a networking platform to children and youth. She is the recipient of several international awards, notable amongst which are those from UNCCD and Korea Green Foundation in 2012 ,The Living Rainforest, U.K. and most recently the 2013 International Young Eco-Hero award from Action for Nature, USA.
She is a Volunteer with “World Youth Foundation” and a Hub Leader for “Children of the Earth”. In 2010 and 2013 Kehkashan won the prestigious HH Sheikh Hamdan Award for Distinguished Academic Performance. She has won numerous awards in music, public speaking, art, sports and quiz.
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