Preservation of wetlands by the UAE

UAE has been instrumental in preservation of its wetlands. It makes all the efforts to keep the areas green & healthy. It is a good news that now the emirate holds three Ramsar Sites of International Importance: Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Jebel Ali Sanctuary, and Hatta Mountain Reserve. The Hatta Mountain Reserve is the third protected area in Dubai and the ninth in the UAE to make it to the Ramsar List. 

This was announced on the World Wetlands Day, which is observed every year on February 2.

This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Wetlands are essential not only for plants & wildlife, they contribute to the global ecosystem and, therefore, to the quality of human life. 

Looking to the future, though, there are still areas that retain much of their natural value and are worthy of consideration as further UAE Ramsar Sites. They include some of the private islands around Abu Dhabi City, whose owners have carefully kept development to a minimum. They deserve credit for that.

Preservation of our wetlands, though, isn’t simply a matter of protecting the natural environment. Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, now managed by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, is one of the nation’s most important Ramsar sites. the site is of regional importance for its bird populations, not just flamingoes, but much else besides.

UAE has designated 43 protected areas providing shelter to threatened species.

I was fortunate enough to visit one of the Ramsar Sites in Khor Kalba. It was such a privilege that we were permitted to visit this protected area.

The pictures are attached.