In a region exposed to Water scarcity, drought & dryness it is imperative to combat the growing incidence of lands changing into deserts and near desert-like conditions,? says Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson, Emirates Environmental Group (EEG). Urgent lifestyle changes are urged to help prevent desertification — a process whereby fertile and dry lands turn into deserts.

Besides technology, public awareness & positive action are the available solutions. The EEG is committed to playing a role in catalyzing awareness and behavioral change in support of sustainable consumption of vital natural resources such as water,? says Habiba.

People of UAE love dune bashing, but very few people knows that it causes desertification as dry shrubs & low lying plants are crushed. Besides, it disturbs the water absorption capability of sand dunes. Only registered operators be visited for dune bashing. Their vehicles are specially armored to tackle the accidents in deserts. Also, it is a fun going with a trained driver of a registered operator, instead of putting your 4X4 into potential risk. These operators operate in 225-square-kilometre Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), managed by a team led by Conservation Manager Greg Simkins. The team conducts scientific research as well. Established by the Dubai Government and Emirates Airline in 2003, it was the first UAE conservation area protected by special laws dedicated to it. Simkins says the strict rules minimize environmental damage. There are set guidelines that tour operators have to adhere to and much of the visitor revenue is ploughed back into conservation.

Besides dune bashing, there are other menaces responsible for desertification they are: littering and clearing for construction purposes. A simple trash bag left in desert may become responsible for a painful death of Camel, Sand Gazelle, Arabian Oryx and other cattle, it is another menace.

World Environment Day highlights the benefits of mainstreaming sustainable land management policies and practices into our collective response to climate change. The Emirates Wildlife Society — World Wildlife Fund (EWS-WWF) also calls on individuals, communities and companies to work together towards conservation.

I appeal to all readers to take pledge to conserve & preserve the fertile lands and do not let them turn them into deserts by littering and clearing for construction purposes. Fertile lands are a boon & bounty of the nature and on World Environment Day let?s try to convert deserts into greens.

Source: Gulf News, The ECSSR