DUBAI 29 October 2018: The Jebel Ali Wetland Sanctuary in Dubai has been added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, making it the second in the emirate, and eighth protected wetland in the country, it was announced on Sunday.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the last day of the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, COP13, held in Dubai, said Wam.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said that the addition of the Jebel Ali Wetland Sanctuary to the Ramsar list reflects the UAE’s efforts to protect the environment, preserve wetlands and nature reserves, and ensure biological diversity and sustainability of the country’s natural resources.
The Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary is a 2,002-hectare wetland located between the Palm Jebel Ali and up to the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border to the South West of Dubai. It is also where the Ghantoot Marine Reserve is located.
In the UAE, the other Ramsar sites cover a total area of almost 37,000 hectares, including Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah, the Mangrove and Al Hafeya Protected Area in Khor Kalba and Sir Bu Nair Island Protected Area in Sharjah, the Ghantoot Marine Reserve and Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai, Al Wathba Wetland Reserve and Bul Sayeef in Abu Dhabi, and Al Zora Protected Area in Ajman.
A Ramsar Site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The Convention on Wetlands, known as the Ramsar Convention, is an inter-governmental environmental treaty established in 1971 by Unesco, and came into force in 1975.
RAK Ruler creates natural reserve at Khor Mazahmi
RAS AL KHAIMAH: His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has issued a decree to establish a conservation area in Khor Mazahmi, the first protected wetland area in the emirate.
Dr. Saif Mohammed Al Ghais, Chief Executive Officer of the Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA-RAK), said the decree, which coincides with UAE hosting of the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP13), emanates from Sheikh Saud’s keenness to protect the environment and to strike a balance between nature and development.
The Mazahmi wetlands protected conservation area is situated 14 kilometers south of Ras Al Khaimah city and covers 3 square-kilometer . It provide an important habitat and food source for various wildlife species, including flamingoes. It is also home to the critically endangered green turtle, which features in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Sharjah Ruler establishes ‘Al Bridi’ Nature Reserve
SHARJAH: His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued Emiri Decree to establish ‘Al Bridi’ Nature Reserve in Sharjah.
Decree No. (44) of 2018 stipulates the prohibition of the acts, actions and activities that would damage or deteriorate the ecosystem and cause wildlife or maritime damages.
The new Decree also states that all the different species as well as the birds and other organisms enjoy the protection of the reserve.
Pursuant to the articles of the Decree, no activities, actions or acts should be carried out in the areas surrounding the Al Bridi Nature Reserve, only with a permit from the competent authority.
Without prejudice to any penalty imposed by any other legislation, whoever contravenes the provisions of this Decree shall be punished by the penalty prescribed in Federal Law No. (24) of 1999.
As stated by the Decree, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority shall be responsible for the Al Bridi Nature Reserve and shall take the necessary administrative procedures regarding cooperation mechanism with the concerned authorities.
The Decree is effective from the date of issuance and shall be published in the Official Gazette.