UAE has made another milestone achievement in its endeavor towards making the country sustainable. Wasit Wet land Centre in Sharjah has proved to be a catalyst for biodiversity and environmental education. Originally a wasteland, the centre has become a popular place not only for the residents and tourists but it has also won the prestigious, The Aga Khan Award for Architecture for its upgraded design and improving the overall quality of life from sustainable point of view.

The facility developed by Environment Projected Areas Authority (EPAA) is part of a project to clean up and rehabilitate an ancient chain of wetlands along the coast. The existing topography of the site is designed in such a way that it minimizes the structure’s visual impact . Indigenous ecosystem has been well restored. Shops, lecture halls, offices and restaurants are significant additions of the centre. Upon arrival, visitors are led underground along a pathway into a linear gallery with a transparent wall that allows them to observe birds in their natural habitat.

Eight bird observation structures are built around the wetland route. The site offers a safe place for reproduction for local fauna and migrant birds, and a unique opportunity to learn about and connect to the biodiversity.

Inputs and Image Credit- Gulf News