Ecotourism is a form of tourism meant to educate the traveler. Since the 1980s ecotourism has been considered important by environmentalists, so that future generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human intervention.  Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the main attractions. It promotes recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities.

Findings dating back to late Iron Age, the Hellenistic and post-Hellenistic periods have been seen at the 125,000 hectare area of Mleiha, in Sharjah Most of the discoveries have come from Umm Al Nar tomb, including a bronze horse head that was in a Sharjah exhibition from April until October last year. Some of the items recovered from the tomb date to 2000BC.

A visitor's centre is being built to take the tourists to the pre-Islamic Umm Al Nar tomb. The tourists can see many historical things from this old era. The centre's uniqueness is that it is being built according to building practices and conventions from about 300BC – an awesome 2300 years ago. It is a long process according to Sabah Jasim, director of antiquities at Sharjah Department of Culture. In June last year Shurooq, the Sharjah development authority, said that work would be completed by the end of 2014.

Phase two involves building leisure facilities, resorts, lodges and restaurants, the authority said. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, said at the time: "The intent in developing this ecologically and archaeologically sensitive and diverse area is not to damage it by the construction of abundant towers and buildings that would rub out its distinctive characteristics, but rather, to develop it in a viable way that will strengthen its environmental diversity and position and encourage residents to be integrated with this environment through providing sustainable jobs."

I look forward to development of more such eco tourist attractions so that exploitation of nature is avoided during the visits by tourists.