Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, 16 (2), 7-25 (2011)
(Regular Paper)
INFORMATION RESEARCH ON COASTAL MORPHOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT OF KUWAIT, ORGANIZATIONS, ROLE AND COASTAL LEGISLATIONS
Saji Baby 1, 2
1Birla Institute of Technology, Department of Remote Sensing & Geoinformatics, Mesra, India. 2GEO Environmental Consultation, Hawally, P. O. Box: 677, Al-Surra 4507, Kuwait. Email: [email protected]
(Received December 2010 and Accepted June 2011)
هﺬﻩ اﻟﻤﺨﻄﻮﻃﺔ هﻲ اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت اﻟﺘﻲ ﺟﻤﻌﺖ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻤﺸﻬﺪ اﻟﻤﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮﺟﻲ اﻟﺴﺎﺣﻠﻲ (CML) ﻓﻲ دوﻟﺔ اﻟﻜﻮﻳﺖ واﻟﺘﻲ ﻳﻬﺪف ﻣﻦ ﺧﻼﻟﻬﺎ اﻟﺒﺎﺣﺜﻴﻦ اﻟﻘﻴﺎم ﺑﺪراﺳﺎت ﻋﻦ ﺗﻄﻮر اﻟﻤﻨﻈﺮ اﻟﻤﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮﺟﻲ اﻟﺴﺎﺣﻠﻲ (CML) واﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪة ﻓﻲ ﺑﻨﺎء اﺳﺘﺮاﺗﻴﺠﻴﺎت إدارة اﻟﻤﻨﺎﻃﻖ اﻟﺴﺎﺣﻠﻴﺔ. اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻢ ﺗﺠﻤﻴﻌﻬﺎ ﺗﺘﻜﻮن ﻣﻦ اﻟﺒﻴﺎﻧﺎت اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻢ اﻟﺘﻨﺠﻴﻢ ﻋﻨﻬﺎ ﻟﻠﺠﻐﺮاﻓﻴﺎ، واﻟﻤﻨﺎخ، واﻟﺠﺰر واﻟﺴﺎﺣﻞ واﻟﺸﺮﻳﻂ اﻟﺴﺎﺣﻠﻲ، اﻟﺠﻴﻮﻣﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮﺟﻴﺎ اﻟﺴﺎﺣﻠﻴﺔ، واﻟﺒﻴﺌﺔ اﻟﺴﺎﺣﻠﻴﺔ، واﻟﻤﻨﺎﻃﻖ اﻟﻤﺤﻤﻴﺔ، واﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴﻤﺎت واﻟﺘﺸﺮﻳﻌﺎت اﻟﺴﺎﺣﻠﻴﺔ. اﻟﺘﻘﻨﻴﺎت اﻟﻤﻌﺘﻤﺪة ﺷﻤﻠﺖ: (أ) ﺟﻤﻊ اﻟﺒﻴﺎﻧﺎت اﻷوﻟﻴﺔ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺴﺢ اﺳﺘﻄﻼﻋﻲ و اﻟﻤﻘﺎﺑﻼت، وﺳﻠﺴﻠﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻻﺳﺘﺒﻴﺎﻧﺎت وردود اﻟﻔﻌﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺨﺒﺮاء واﻷﻓﺮاد واﻟﻤﻬﻨﻴﻴﻦ و (ب) ﻃﺮﻳﻘﺔ ﺟﻤﻊ اﻟﺒﻴﺎﻧﺎت اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻮﻳﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺧﻼل ﺟﻤﻊ اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت ﻣﻦ ﻣﺼﺎدر ﻣﺘﻨﻮﻋﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻮاد واﻟﻮﺛﺎﺋﻖ و اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت اﻟﻤﺨﺰﻧﺔ إﻟﻜﺘﺮوﻧﻴﺎً. اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻢ ﺗﺠﻤﻴﻌﻬﺎ ﺗﺮآﺰ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺒﻴﺌﺔ اﻟﻤﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮﺟﻴﺔ اﻟﺴﺎﺣﻠﻴﺔ ، ودور اﻟﻤﻨﻈﻤﺎت واﻟﺘﺸﺮﻳﻌﺎت اﻟﺴﺎﺣﻠﻴﺔ. ﺗﻢ اﻟﺘﺤﻘﻖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻢ ﺟﻤﻌﻬﺎ ﻟﻠﺼﺤﺔ إﻟﻰ أﻗﺼﻰ ﻣﺴﺘﻮى.
آﻠﻤﺎت اﻟﺒﺤﺚ: اﻟﻤﺴﺢ اﻟﺮﺋﻴﺴﻲ واﻟﺜﺎﻧﻮي، اﻟﻤﻨﺎﻇﺮ اﻟﻄﺒﻴﻌﻴﺔ اﻟﺴﺎﺣﻠﻴﺔ، اﻟﺠﻴﻮﻣﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮﺟﻴﺎ، اﻟﺨﻂ اﻟﺴﺎﺣﻠﻲ، واﺳﺘﺨﺪام اﻷراﺿﻲ واﻟﺠﺰر، واﻟﻤﻮاﺋﻞ، واﻟﺘﺸﺮﻳﻌﺎت
This manuscript is information compiled for coastal morphological landscape (CML) in the State of Kuwait for the purpose of researchers to undergo coastal morphological landscape (CML) evolution studies and help in building coastal management strategies. The information compiled consists of data mined for geography, climate, islands, coast and coastline, coastal geomorphology, coastal habitat, protected areas, organization and coastal legislations. Techniques adopted were (i) Primary data collection from reconnaissance survey, interviews, a series of questionnaires and feedback from group of individuals, experts and professionals and (ii) Secondary data collection method by collecting information from a diverse source of documents, articles and electronically stored information. Information compiled focuses on coastal morphological environment, Organizations and Role and Coastal Legislations. The information collected was verified for the authenticity to the maximum level.
Keywords: Primary and secondary survey, Coastal landscape, geomorphology, shoreline, land use, islands, habitat, legislation
Although the data proved to be valuable, the collection 1. INTRODUCTION process was very time consuming and provided sufficient background information for the study area which would lead to the research studies on CML This manuscript is a collection of information as result evolution. It gives basic understanding and promotes of data mining which reflects the coastal confidence in the overall quality of analysis and morphological environment of Kuwait. The main findings. It is a screening study about the coastal purpose of information research is to provide environment of Kuwait. background information to undergo coastal morphological landscape (CML) evolutionary studies and help in building coastal management strategies.
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Saji Baby
Objective: This manuscript is prepared with a main feedback from group of individuals, experts and objective of collecting the information on coastal professionals. morphology in the State of Kuwait for the purpose of 2) Secondary data collection by collecting research and to undergo CML evolutionary studies information from a diverse source of documents, and help build coastal management strategies to articles and electronically stored information. protect the vital coastal landscape ecosystem. 3) Information compiled focused on coastal morphological environment, Organizations and its Methods and Approach: There are a range of different role and Coastal Legislations. types of methods for collecting information. The 4) The information collected was verified for the methods used here are used by researchers, evaluators, authenticity. policy analysts, economists and a number of other disciplines for similar type of studies. The methods and The information compiled consists of data mined approach adopted to compile data are: for geography, climate, islands, coast and 1) Primary data collection from reconnaissance coastline, coastal geomorphology, coastal habitat, survey, interviews, a series of questionnaires and protected areas, organization and coastal legislations.
2. GEOGRAPHY
Figure 1: Location of Kuwait and Arabian Gulf (Courtsey: Microsoft Encarta World Atlas 1998 Edition)
The State of Kuwait constitutes a portion of arid zone a total length of 685 kilometers. Most of Kuwait's in the north-western coastal plain of the Arabian Gulf territory is flat and sandy. The western point (Salmi (Fig.1). Kuwait occupies an area of approximately and Shaqaya) which is 300 meters high slopes down 17,800 km2, extending between 28° 30' N and 30° 05' to sea level at the western shore of the Gulf. The N of latitudes and 46° 3' E and 48° 35' E of population according to Ministry of Planning for longitudes[11&13]. Kuwait is surrounded by Arabian 2005 is 2,213,403[31]. The state is inhabited mainly Gulf (east), Iraq (north and west) and Saudi Arabia along the stretches of shoreline. (south and west) (Fig.2). The borders of Kuwait have
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Information Research on Coastal Morphological Environment of Kuwait, Organizations, Role and Coastal Legislations
Figure 2: Landsat Image of Kuwait for Year 2003[11&12].
dominant prevailing winds in the State of Kuwait are 3. CLIMATE from the Northwesterly direction with average wind speed 4.5 m/sec; during the summer the highest wind Kuwait has a variable continental climate. Summer speed reaches 5.5- 6.0 m/sec and during winter lowest months are dry and very hot starting from March to reaches 3.5 -4.0 m / sec (November and December). October. The temperature in summer varies between from 30- 45° C, reaching 54° C during day time in Fog occurs particularly in the winter months, August. Winter months are cooler and moderately wet forming during the very early hours and disappearing starting from early December to middle of February. by mid-morning, evaporation far exceeds rainfall The temperature in winter varies between from 7-17° C. throughout the year. On the coast, climatic extremes are Rainfall is erratic and inconsistent and shows great probably less than inland. The maximum tidal range on temporal and spatial variation (averaging 23-206 mm the mainland coast is 3.5-4.0m; seawater temperature per year between stations), with most rain usually varies widely, from 12°C (January) to 34°C (July), and falling between November and May, although salinity from 3.8 to 4.2%. Figure 3 shows the trend in occasional showers may fall in October, and June to climatic pattern for last 47 years from 1962-2009. The August are practically rainless. graph is based on data obtained from Kuwait International Airport Meteorological Station (40582) Frequent sandstorms occur from May to July, and August and September are extremely humid. The
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Figure 3: Trend in Climatic Pattern (1962-2009)
4. ISLANDS OF KUWAIT There are presently nine islands of Kuwait. The salient features of each island are described in Table 1.
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Table.1: Islands of Kuwait and Salient Features
Islands Location Area Features Major Source & type of Governo land rate use Northern Mudflat Islands
1. Warba and 2. Bubiyan 29°59′38″N 37 Warbah Island constitutes the [28] 48°04′00″E km2 northernmost part of eastern Kuwait and has an average Al-Jahra elevation of 11 m above sea level. The island is composed of soft mud and gypsiferous silty sediments from the sediments of Euphrates and Tigris rivers. It has several tidal creeks and high tide covers most of the island. The island is considered as an important site as it includes wetlands and marshes. It is also an important nursing ground for fish and shrimp as well as the existence of mangrove. The Permanent National (Landsat 2001) Biodiversity Committee which aims at regulating the utilization of protected area and prioritizing lands for protection has proposed protecting the northern boundaries of Warba Island. 29°44′41″N 863 Bubiyan is the largest island New [6] 48°21′03″E km2 of Kuwait which is flat, low- commerc lying, and composed of ial Al-Jahra deltaic mud of the Tigris and seaport Euphrates River system. It is and a also located in the northern lakefront area near Shatt Al Arab delta, communi and measures 40 km long and ty 30 km wide. The island is comprisi separated from the mainland ng a by a narrow channel, Khor series of As Sabiya which drifts low- around Bubiyan island density separating it from the Warba resorts island. About 75 percent of proposed Bubiyan stands above spring on the high tides. This area is southern sparsely vegetated, with part of halophytes growing in island deltaic-estuarine type sabkha deposits. Small, isolated wind-shadow gypsum dunes Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, Vol. 16, No.2, 2011 11 Saji Baby
Islands Location Area Features Major Source & type of Governo land rate use are formed by wind drifts of gypsum grains mixed with wind-blown terrigenous sediment. Along the low-tide zone, it is characterized by very highly productive soft mud flats. The interior of the island is flat and featureless. During the winter rainstorms a network of shallow ephemeral channel- bar drainage systems may develop after heavy runoffs. Fauna is consistent around the island and generally includes: wading birds, shorebirds and coastal birds; mudskippers throughout the soft intertidal flats. The recommended strategy is to prevent oil from entering sheltered environments along the Khor As-Subiyah. Northern Sandy Islands
3. Failaka 29°26′26″N 48 Failaka Island is surrounded Small [38,6,7&9] 48°20′05″E km2 by several morpho- craft sedimentary units. Extensive, harbor Al-Asimah soft tidal flats and rocky facility, beaches abound; these are Recreatio composed of medium to nal coarse sand. The island resort, supports breeding colonies of commerc shore birds and coastal birds ial and is considered to be a fishing (Landsat 2001) nature reserve. A shoreline using cleanup strategy is hadras recommended for the area as Harbor structures are natural collecting areas for floating oil and priority cleanup of the beaches is necessary in the resort development area in southwestern part of the island. 4. Miskan 29°29′05″N 0.5 km2 Miskan Island lies to the 48°15′05″E north west of Failaka Island The island is formed of fine Al-Asimah to medium sand, and coral reefs surround the island. There are steep beaches on the eastern side of the island 12 Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, Vol. 16, No.2, 2011
Information Research on Coastal Morphological Environment of Kuwait, Organizations, Role and Coastal Legislations
Islands Location Area Features Major Source & type of Governo land rate use and gentle beaches on the western side. Birds, as well as turtles, are commonly present around the coast of the island. Kuwait is expected to invest in the island economically. The possibility of setting up eco- Aerial Photograph 1998 tourism facilities on the island is also under study.
5. Auha 29°22′40″N 0.25 Auha Island is located to the 48°26′21″E km2 southeast of Failaka Island. The island is formed mainly Al-Asimah of medium to coarse sand. Low-tide terraces and hard, rocky beaches are located to the east and south of the island.
Aerial Photograph 1998
6. Umm Al-Namil 29°22′54″N 0.30 Umm An-Namil Island is Archeolo 47°52′01″E km2 located in the western part of gical site As-Sulaibikhat Bay, to the Al-Asimah east of Ad-Dohah, and is connected to the mainland at low tide. The island is formed of medium to coarse sand, and silty clay sediments cover the upper and lower tidal flats. Soft mud surrounds the subtidal flat where abundant biological (Google Imagery date: activities take place. 28.4.2010)
Southern Coral Reef Islands
7.Kubbar 29°04′20″N 0.75 Kubbar Island is located 10 Recreation, [20,21,25,2 48°29′36″E km2 Kilometers east of Al- scuba 6,36,41& Fuhaihil. The coast of the diving and 43] Al-Ahmadi island is formed by coral camping reefs which are biologically highly productive; the lithology of the island varies from fine to coarse sand. Maximum elevations reach 1.0 to 1.5 m above sea level. Aerial Photograph 1998 The island is important Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, Vol. 16, No.2, 2011 13 Saji Baby
Islands Location Area Features Major Source & type of Governo land rate use nesting site for seabirds and formerly supported nesting sea turtles. Kubbar Island and its surrounding reefs were first proposed for protection by [26]. Recently, the island has been included in the draft Nature Conservation Act submitted by the Environment Protection Council. 8. Qaruh 28°49′12″N 0.035 Qaruh Island is located at the Recreation 48°46′27″E km2 southernmost part of the and coastal zone of Kuwait .The camping Al-Ahmadi Island is surrounded by coral reefs and is a well known breeding ground for birds and turtles. The lithology is composed mostly of medium to coarse sand with soft mud found in the southern coastal area. Ikonos Image : 2002 9. Umm Al-Maradim 28°40′42″N 0.25 Umm Al-Maradim Island is Recreation 48°39′10″E km2 located 15 kilometers to the and east of An-Nuwaiseeb. The camping Al-Ahmadi shore of the island is formed of medium sand and coral reefs are located around the island. The island is a breeding ground for migratory birds and is considered a nature reserve. Aerial Photograph 1998
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300m, which becomes significantly wider around the 5. THE COAST AND COASTLINE Ras As Subiyah where it is more than 1300m wide[4]. The Northern Province is marked by muddy intertidal The main shoreline of the coast of Kuwait is about 325 flats bounded landward by an extensive coastal sabkha kilometers long and the total shoreline including all which is partly covered by sand drifts and dominated [11] the nine islands is about 500 kilometers in length . by a depositional and low-energy environment where The coast of Kuwait can be catogorized into two main tidal and wind-driven currents are the major process parts. One extending along the Arabian Gulf and the acting along the northern shore. The mud flat is other around the Kuwait Bay and Khor Subiya Creek. underlain by a discontinuous beachrock ranging in The difference between them is very profound. Most thickness between 0.5 and 1m[17]. The consolidated of the former area is characterised by sandy beaches layer is in turn underlain by shelly oolitic sands because it is exposed to sea currents, while the latter, exposed at the surface in a few locations. One of the 70 km in length, is characterised by mudflats, most prominent feature is the Kuwait Bay, an elliptical especially in the shallow northern area of the Bay of engulfment protruding westward from the Gulf waters; Kuwait which faces Kuwait city. with a moderate size of 850 km², and a maximum water depth of 20 m at the entrance[2].To the north of 6. HYDRODYNAMICS the bay, the crescent shaped shoreline is pristine. The recognition of the supratidal sabkha with its unique The natural processes which interact with CML of depositional environments is the most significant Kuwait are tides, currents, and waves. In Kuwait Bay, development. The supratidal flat reaches up to 4.5 km the tides are semidiurnal and range from as high as in width near its center and gradually narrows towards 4.2m during spring tides to as low as 0.5m at neap its extreme west. The tidal flat is covered with a tides[23].The maximum current velocity never mixture of aeolian sand and muddy sediments of exceeds 0.5 m/s. The wave climate is very mild and marine origin which is influenced by the deltaic waves may reach 1.5m in height with 3-5 s sedimentation of Shatt Al-Arab. Some of the most periods[31]. For the southern coast, the tides are extensive intertidal flats occur at Dawhat Kazima, at mixed; the mean tidal range is from 1.6m at neap to the west end of the Kuwait Bay[38]. 2.4m at spring. The maximum current velocity extends
1.0 m/s. Waves may reach more than 4m in height for The southern province which forms the southern part a period of 9.0s. The highest waves are likely to of Kuwait Bay (extending to the east of Ras Ushayrij approach from the east-southeast. Generally, currents and south of Ras Ajuzah), as far as down to the are approximately parallel to the coastline[22] and southern border of the country, is characterized by a littoral drift is in clockwise direction. Haynes et al.[24] relatively steep beach profile and a narrow rocky tidal found that wave energy and longshore transport are flat covered partly by a veneer of sand or a thin layer low in magnitude along the developed waterfront of of sandstone[17]. The inter-tidal mudflats are Kuwait City. Longshore currents are higher along the widespread, particularly at Sulaibikhat Bay on the south southern coast than those along the northern and side[38]. To the eastern fringe of the bay the shoreline middle coasts. Kana et al.[27] estimated net southerly is irregular with a well developed cove, bounded by rates of 5x104m/yr south of Ahmedi Port. Southerly Ras Al-Ardh headland in the east and Ras Ajuza winds of 30-40km/hr along the southern coast cause headland in the west, and a less well developed cove tremendous beach erosion and cliff retreat. between Ras Ajuza and Shuwaikh Port. Small artificial beaches are fringed seaward by narrow Intertidal flat 7. COASTAL GEOMORPHOLOGY and a hard rocky bottom which forms the central tidal The coastal zone of Kuwait is characterized by a gradient throughout the Bay. Further down south along shallow shelf of a depth < 30m which tends to increase the Arabian Gulf, the coast is characterized by numerous coastal ridges as high as 5-15 m trending in the southeasterly direction[40]. Based on the [35] general sedimentary and morphological framework, parallel to the coastline and features a network of the coastal zone is classified into two major provinces, coastal dunes cliffs, sandbars and tidal lagoons. The the northern and southern province. The northern coastal flat is bounded landward by widespread, low- province encompasses the intertidal zone of the coast lying flat sabkhas[35,37&29].The intertidal flats from Ras Ushairij to the northern coastal border of the become significantly wider along the Al-Khiran and State and is characterized by the presence of Khor Al- Al-Nuwaisib coast[3]. Subiya, a long tidal channel about 60 km length and 1.5 km width that trends NW-SE, separating Bubiyan In contrast to the Northern Province, the southern and Warba islands from the mainland. For most of the province has moderate to high energy environment, Khor As-Subiyah the intertidal zone has a width of waves induced by winds blowing mostly from the
Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, Vol. 16, No.2, 2011 15 Saji Baby north-east and south-east form the dominant energy elongated depression in Al-Jailaiaha and Al-Khiran source. The southern province hosts urban activities areas where the tidal creeks are formed. like major ports, power and desalination plants oil The coral reef areas of Kuwait are the offshore islands refineries, etc. Although movement of sediment along of Kubbar, Qaru and Um Al-Maradim which have this coast is more evident some parts of the southern been recognized for their importance in maintaining coastal province are unbiased. These include the biodiversity, fishing and tourism and are identified as depositional sites such as the headlands and a few high priority sites for marine parks. The coral erosional areas (such as bedrock cliff, erosional scarps community is a low diversity coral assemblage and offshore sand bars) caused by the disturbance of existing in an extreme environment; the reefal flat the natural hydrographic regime due to human which comprises by far the most extensive area dries activities such as land reclamation, dredging and out periodically at low tides and would be susceptible developing coastal structures. to contamination by surface borne pollutants such as oil. 8. COASTAL HABITATS To the north and west of Bay, salt marshes occur, to ‘Coastal Habitats’ are a result of the interaction of the medium- or fine-sand beaches at the entrance of the weather and water movement that acts to alter the Bay. Introduction of mangroves in inlets and sheltered shape and configuration of the coast and produce a areas notably on the island of Bubiyan and Sulaibikhat range of niches in which plants and animals can live. bay play a major role in increasing green cover, In Kuwait, the coastal habitats of particular importance enriching marine fauna and enhancing the aesthetic are the muddy intertidal shores, the sabkhas and and recreational value of the coastal areas and the creeks, coral reefs, oyster banks, intertidal marshes, islands. Mangrove plantations would provide mangrove and sea grass beds, and the open water reasonable protection for areas having erosional habitats. problems from tidal waves. Along the coast there are protected or proposed The sea grass beds are found in small scattered patches sensitive and important habitats. The locations are in very shallow embayment, in the intertidal areas of shown in Figure 4 and are described in Table 2. The Kuwait bay and along the most southern coastal sites most sensitive habitats are muddy substrata in the of Dbaiyah and Nuwaiseeb. Seagrasses intermixed northern area (including Bubiyan Island, Dawhat with algal beds have high productivity and support Kazima, at the west end of the Kuwait Bay, and in diverse biota most of which include molluscs. Of Sulaibikhat Bay to the south of Kuwait Bay), which commercially significant species are the pearl oyster extend from intertidal saltmarshes and flats to the (Pinctada radiata) which occur in association with maximum depths of the Bay. Because the photic zone seagrass, and many important fisheries species such as is commonly <10 m depth, much of the benthic shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus). Seagrasses also organisms lacks significant plant life, but the large sustain the population of the vulnerable Dugong extent of this habitat, together with its high secondary (Dugong dugon) and are important breeding and productivity, make it extremely important, though foraging areas for the endangered Green Turtle commonly neglected. The muddy intertidal type (Chelonia mydas). shores constitute 31.7% of the coastline which covers mostly the northern area[43]. Muddy tidal flats such as Oyster banks are generally found encrusting the beach those in Kuwait Bay support dense algal mats, which rock pavement which forms the floor of a shallow, flat play pivotal roles in food chains[10], and also add bottomed tidal channel at Ras Ushairij that becomes mechanical stability to the mud. These sheltered, low dry at low tide and is partly covered by sand and rock energy environments make the occurrence of muddy fragments. shores and mudflats exceptional. The mud flat areas The open sea habitats comprise the water column, are becoming rapidly colonized by pioneer species and sublittoral sand, mud and rock, artificial structures and provide feeding ground for large numbers of migratory offshore islands. The sublittoral sand habitats have birds. been shown to support a number of plants and animals Coastal sabkhas form one of the prominent surface species; mud bottom habitats occur in environments of features in the northern and southern Kuwaiti coastal lower energy and also support a diverse biota; rock zone, occupying an area of about 769.4 km2, bottom habitats exhibit considerable variability of equivalent to 4.3 percent of the nation's total area[30]. associated species; Artificial structures, such as oil The coastal sabkha extends from the shoreline for 15 platforms, acting as an "artificial reef, provide a or 20 km, with barrier islands or dunes. In the substratum for many forms of marine life. Plankton is southern sector, the coastal sabkha extends along the naturally present in all open—water habitats, and may
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Information Research on Coastal Morphological Environment of Kuwait, Organizations, Role and Coastal Legislations occur in "bloom" concentrations at certain times of the Kuwait, the extent of all natural habitats is changing year. and their condition deteriorating[19&36].The large scale of the activities compared to the relatively With rapid increase in developmental activities along shallow and small size of the water body is a the coastline, in addition to harsh weather conditions, particularly important issue. and the effects of the Gulf War on coastal habitats in
Figure 4: Coastal Habitats (Existing or Protected or Proposed)
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Table 2: Major Coastal Habitats
S. Wetlands Location Area Features Land Use Source N 01 Al-Jahra Pool 29°21'47"N 3.5km2 A man-made wetland reserve, Recreation [45]. Nature 47°41'30" E seasonally-flooded saltmarsh education Reserve consisting of sewage lagoons with and research reed-beds and shallow pools with opportunity average depth of about 10 cm to the public. surrounded by sabkha, extending from the town of Al-Jahra in the north to Kuwait Bay in the south. The fenced nature reserve is an important site for migratory birds. Two hundred twenty species of birds were identified. The plant communities include: Phragmites australis, halophytes in large communities such as Suaeda aegyptiaca, Tamarix sp. and Nitraria sp. 02 Sabah Al- 3.3 km2 The reserve is a sanctuary for flora To conserve [45]. Ahmad and fauna located at the north-east the resources Nature part of Kuwait, near Subiya. It is and to allow Reserve rocky escarpment rising from the to a certain mudflats and associated salt extent marshes and dunes. It extends from Recreation Um Al-Aish in the north to Kuwait education Bay in the south and Hoban in the and west to Medira in the east. The Research reserve is surrounded by a fence opportunity running through 110 km .It include to the public. hills, muddy patches, and beaches. Flora is dominated by the following communities Zygophyllum, Rhanterium and Cyperus, Haloxylon, Halocnemon, Seidlitzia, Nitraria. The wildlife to be protected within this territory includes rare animals, small birds and rodents. 190 species of birds have been recognized The reserve aims at restoring indigenous flora and fauna for preserving the environment’s natural features in Kuwait 03 Doha Nature 4.5 km2 A sandy sabkha area on the Doha Recreation [19,20 &36]. Reserve Peninsula which consists of and camping drainage water flowing from nearby chalets and Entertainment Park. The reserve is Located on the south of Kuwait Bay in Al-Jahra about 25 km west of Kuwait City. The dominant flora includes Phragmites reeds. The most abundant faunal species include Charadrius hiaticula, C. Alexandrinus, C. 18 Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, Vol. 16, No.2, 2011
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mongolus, C. leschenaultii and Pluvialis squatarola. 04 Sulaibikhat 0.75 A fenced bird sanctuary on the Recreational [15,16,19 &36]. Nature km2 shallow bay south of the Kuwait and Reserve Bay, with extensive intertidal traditional mudflats that support a large fishing population of mudskippers and crabs. The reserve is an important sanctuary for birds. 05 Jal az Zor 250 It is located northwest of Kuwait multi- [5&20]. National Park km2 Bay, provides excellent basis for purpose protection of biological resources resort for that are under natural and human conservation stress. Nabkhas are very common , recreation deposits along the coastal plain; and .About 62 species of vascular plants education were identified (15 perennials and 47 annuals). The dominating species include: Nitraria retusa, Zygophyllum qatarense, Haloxylon salicornicum and Panicum turgidum. The vegetation indicates a sequence of communities correlated with soil moisture, salinity and physiographic variables. It is observed that the distribution initiates with xerophytic communities that inhabit the non-saline depressions, ridges and end with the hygrophilous halophytic species that inhabit the salt marshes near the Arabian Gulf 06 Dawhat 29°23.00'N, 16.6 A shallow relatively well-sheltered Recreational [20]. Kazima 47°47.00'E km2 bay, part of the larger Kuwait Bay and system, with extensive intertidal traditional mudflats about 890 ha, located at fishing with the west end of Kuwait Bay in Al- fixed traps Jahra region. A low, sandy (hadra). peninsula extends about 2 km into the bay from the north shore. The coastal area mainly includes Intertidal marshes; Intertidal mud, sand & salt flats; Shallow marine waters; Subtidal aquatic beds .The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International mainly for coastal water fowl and economically valuable shrimp nurseries. Some of the important bird species include: Podiceps nigricollis, Phalacrocorax carbo, Ardea cinerea, Platalea leucorodia, Phoenicopterus ruber, Anas penelope, A. crecca, A. clypeata, Dromas ardeola, Haematopus ostralegus, Recurvirostra avosetta and Larus genei. The Invertebrates fauna of Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, Vol. 16, No.2, 2011 19 Saji Baby
the mudflat includes the crab Cleistostoma kuwaitense (endemic). 07 Al-Khiran 28°38'41"N, 20 km2 It is located along the coastal strip Tourism, [1,5,14,34 &36]. 48° 20'31" E of southern Kuwait and includes a recreation complex of tidal inlets with adjacent sabkha. The inlets include Khor Eskandar and Khor Al-Nhalm – these are small inlets directly open to the sea; Khor Al-A'ama– a wide tidal creek with a maximum width of 1 km and a narrow channel connecting it with the open sea; Khor Al-Mufateh and Khor Al- Mamlaha- comprise a branching system of creeks which are about 0.75 km wide and extend inland for 5.5 km. The site is important for migratory waterfowl.
• The right to development must be fulfilled so 9. INTEGRATED COASTAL AND as to meet equitably developmental and MARINE AREAS MANAGEMENT environmental needs of present and future generations. • In order to achieve sustainable development, Integrated coastal areas management (ICAM) may be environmental protection shall constitute an defined as a process of resource- management aimed integral part of the development process and at the sustainable development of coastal areas. The cannot be considered in isolation from it. prerequisite for sustainable development is the preservation of the high quality and quantity of coastal The Conference gave special attention to marine and resources, whilst meeting not only the current needs, coastal areas management, particularly in Chapter 17 but also whilst securing long-term (or sustainable) of the "Agenda 21"[44]. That part of "Agenda 21", economic and ecological benefits for future which refers to integrated management and generations[42]. development process in marine and coastal areas, including the exclusive economic zones. This statement is in accordance with the following principles of the Declaration on Environment and
Development (points 3 and 4) which were adopted at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992:
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Box 4 e) Improve the living standards of coastal populations, particularly in developing Marine environmental protection countries, so as to contribute to reducing the degradation of the coastal and marine [44] A proactive and anticipatory rather than a remedial environment . approach is necessary to prevent the degradation of the marine environment. This requires, inter alia, the adoption of precautionary measures, environmental impact assessments, clean production techniques, Box 5 recycling, waste audits and minimization, construction and/or improvement of sewage treatment facilities, Semi-enclosed seas, coastal areas and the quality management criteria for the proper handling of protection, rational use and development of hazardous substances, and a comprehensive approach their living to damaging impacts from air, land and water. Any Resources management framework must include the improvement of coastal human settlements and the The marine environment - including the oceans and all integrated management and development of coastal seas and adjacent coastal areas - forms an integrated areas. whole that is an essential component of the global life-
support system and a positive asset that presents States, in accordance with the provisions of the United opportunities for sustainable development. Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on International law, as reflected in the provisions of the protection and preservation of the marine United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea environment, commit themselves, in accordance with referred to in this chapter of Agenda 21, sets forth their policies, priorities and resources, to prevent, rights and obligations of States and provides the reduce and control degradation of the marine international basis upon which to pursue the protection environment so as to maintain and improve its life- and sustainable development of the marine and coastal support and productive capacities. To this end, it is environment and its resources. This requires new necessary to: approaches to marine and coastal area management a) Apply preventative, precautionary and and development, at the national, subregional, regional anticipatory approaches so as to avoid and global levels, approaches that are integrated in degradation of the marine environment, as content and are precautionary and anticipatory in well as to reduce the risk of long-term or ambit, as reflected in the following programme areas: irreversible adverse effects upon it; a) Integrated management and sustainable b) Ensure prior assessment of activities that development of coastal areas, including may have significant adverse impacts upon exclusive economic zones; the marine environment; b) Marine environmental protection; c) Integrate protection of the marine c) Sustainable use and conservation of marine environment into relevant general living resources under national jurisdiction; environmental, social and economic d) Addressing critical uncertainties for the development policies; management of the marine environment d) Develop economic incentives, where and climate change; appropriate, to apply clean technologies e) Strengthening international, including and other means consistent with the regional, cooperation and coordination; internalization of environmental costs, such f) Sustainable development of small islands[44]. as the polluter pays principle, so as to avoid
degradation of the marine environment;
10. ORGANIZATIONS AND COASTAL recommended an essential strategy for the State of LEGISLATIONS IN KUWAIT Kuwait in protecting and managing its marine environment. The strategy formulates an integrated approach to ecological issues in all sectors and at all Kuwait’s marine and coastal ecosystems contain levels of governance in Kuwait. diverse assemblages of species that are economically as well as ecologically significant. The International Many of the institutional frameworks have been given Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has the responsibility, by Amiri Decrees for Management, defined a global classification system for different Conservation and Research on the natural ecosystems types of protected areas which have nature in the State of Kuwait; these are[38]: conservation as their primary goal. It has Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, Vol. 16, No.2, 2011 21 Saji Baby
Environmental Public Authority (EPA) established At present, Kuwait Master Plan (first drawn up in the in 1996 in accordance with Law No. 21/1995 and mid-1950s and revised in 1970, 1983 and 1990) 16/1996 is the focal point for CBD, CITES as well as comprises a major proposal for designating a section of the State Member in IUCN. It has the mandate to the northern shore of Kuwait Bay which has coastal establish guidelines for conservation of ecosystems as mudflats and associated salt marshes and sand dunes, well as designation of protected areas in Kuwait. and the Jal Az-Zor escarpment as a National Park covering an area of 25,000 ha. The Environment Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Protection Council in 1990 designated two nature established in 1967 undertakes research on Kuwait’s reserves, the Jahra Pools Nature Reserve and the Doha ecosystems and resources and provides scientific Peninsula Nature Reserve in Sulaibikhat Bay. support for Kuwait’s ecosystems and resources conservation and protected area designation and A recent inventory of Important Bird Areas in the management. It has also been involved in developing Middle East, sponsored by Bird Life International, plans for the establishment of national parks and nature identified eight sites as being of special importance for reserves. bird conservation in Kuwait[20]. Five of these sites are primarily wetlands, and include a freshwater wetland, The Ahmadi Natural History and Field Studies three areas of coastal flats and a small offshore island Group: a non-governmental organization founded in (Kubbar) with an additional coastal site (Al-Khiran) in 1969 under the sponsorship of Kuwait Oil Company has the extreme south of the country. also made recommendations to the Government for the establishment of reserves. The group maintains contact The main law governing the conservation of natural with other institutions, encourages field studies and habitats is the Decree law No. 62 of 1980, which helps disseminate knowledge and information on indicates a general policy for the protection of the wetlands and their birds. environment and provides for designation of two categories of protected area, national parks and nature Kuwait University: the Faculty of Science is actively reserves. Additional legislations related to ecosystems involved in number of research for the coastal areas include: notably the Kuwait Bay and Al-Khiran in the south, - Prohibition of commercial fishing of shrimp, and provides scientific support for conservation of the including in important wetland areas, during protected areas and management. the spawning season, and measures to prevent the decline in sea turtles. Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) - There are minimum size limits for a number founded in 1974 aims to protect environment, control of fish species, and mesh sizes for four sources of pollution in all domains unify and different types of net are enforced. coordinate efforts of persons active in environmental - Under Decree Law No. 1964, oil discharge in matters. Working to create an environmental and territorial waters extending 50 miles from scientific method of public thinking in order to land and in the internal waters of Kuwait Bay establish the necessary remedial legislation for the is prohibited. protection of environment against pollution and - Hunting, however, is permitted throughout preservation of the natural resources of the country by the country, except for shooting in urban natural cooperation with the relevant authorities. areas, and there are no laws for its regulation. A special Act for nature conservation Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish (including the designation of additional Resources: established in 1983 in accordance with protected areas in the future) has been drafted Law No. 94/1983 supervises all production activities and is currently awaiting official ratification on State level. Kuwait's protected areas system is under by the Council of Ministers. the management and direct supervision of the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries. With regard to the coral islands, KEPA Law No. 21 of 1995 & Law No. 16 of 1996 is applicable for the Kuwait Municipality established in is solely conservation of coral reefs which states the following: responsible for allocation of land for any use, including - Develop coral islands and exploit them as parks and designated areas. natural reserves, recreational facilities and as a fish resource. The Ministry of the Interior owns and controls the - Conserve the coral reefs around coral islands offshore islands and their associated coral reefs. and submerged reefs and fish breeding sites.
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KEPA has established 2 committees related to the European Journal of Scientific Research, 26 (4), coral reef protection: 510-521. 1. The National Committee for Biodiversity’ 5) Al-Sarawi, M.A., Al-Zamel, A. and Al-Rifaiy, which proposed a law for the establishment of l.A. 1993. Late Pleistocene and Holocene protected areas in 1997. In this law, all coral sediments of the Khiran area (South Kuwait). J. reef areas were recommended to be protected. Univ. Kuwait (Sci) 20, 145-156. This law is still pending at the “Department 6) Al-Sarawi, M.A., Gundlach, E.R. and Baca, B.J. of Legal Advice and Legislations” at the 1998. Coastal Geomorphology and Resources in Council of Ministers. terms of Sensitivity to Oil Spill. J. Univ. Kuwait 2. The National committee for Trade in (Sci) 15, 141-184. Endangered Species. Hundreds of corals 7) Al-Sarawi, M.A., Marmoush, Y.R. and Al-Salem, species are listed under this Convention. The K. 1995. Coastal Zone Development in Kuwait. international trade in these species is regulated and monitored. Proceeding of the International Conference ‘Coastal Change 95’ Bordomer-IOC, Bordeaux, With a view of strengthening governance in the pp. 610-614. region, ROPME has developed protocols addressing 8) Al-Sarawi, M.A., Marmoush, Y.R., Lo, J-M. and the critical areas of environmental management. The Al-Hulail, F. 1995. Coastal Morphology of Kuwait Regional Convention for Co-operation on the Failaka Island, Kuwait. J. Univ. Kuwait (Sci.), 22 Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution 263-282. (1978) has related protocols that were developed in 9) Al-Sarawi, M.A., Marmoush, Y.R., Lo, J-M. and accordance with the recommendations of the Legal Al-Salem, K. 1996. Coastal Management of Component of the Kuwait Action Plan concerning the Failaka Island, Kuwait. Journal of Environmental conservation of ecosystem and the establishment of Management, 47, 299-310. protected areas. ROPME has been involved in number 10) Al-Zaidan A.S.Y, Kennedy, H., Jones, D.A., and of research activities, including the monitoring of Al-Mohanna, S.Y. 2006. Role of microbial mats marine pollution, and has assisted in the development of in Sulaibikht Bay (Kuwait) mudflat food webs: regional CZM plans. ROPME was also actively evidence from δ13C analysis. Marine Ecology involved in the clean-up operation of the oil spills Progress Series 308, 27–36. [38] following the Gulf War . 11) Baby S. 2010. Techniques, Tools and Methods to Determine Coastal Morphologic Evolution & 11. CONCLUSION Management for ‘Coasts in Crisis’ in ‘The State Through the process of background information of Kuwait’. International Journal of research it was able to collect sufficient information on Environmental Sciences. Vo. 1 No. 1, 30-38 coastal morphological environment, Organizations, 12) Baby, S. 2004. Kuwait from Space. Kuwait Role and coastal legislations to initiate and support the Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait. research on CML evolution studies. 13) Baby, S. and M. Al-Sudairawi. 2004. Introducing Satellite Remote Sensing Application for REFERENCES Multipurpose Greenery Development and Design for the Arid Urban Environment of Kuwait. 1) Al-Abdul-Razzak, S.K. and Bhalla, S.N. 1987. Nature Environment and Pollution Technology, Microfauna from the Al-Khiran area, south Technoscience Publications, 3 (1), 19-28. Kuwait. Revue de paleobiologie, 6 (1), 139-142. 14) Cherif, O.H., Al-Rifaiy, l.A. and Al-Zamel, A. 2) Al-Ghadban, A.N. 2004. Assessment of 1994. Sedimentary facies of the tidal creeks of Suspended Sediment in Kuwait Bay Using Khor Al-Mufateh and Khor Al-Mamlaha, Khiran Landsat and Spot Images. Kuwait Journal of area, Kuwait. J. Univ. Kuwait (Sci) 21, 87-105. Science and Engineering. 31(2),155-172. 15) Clayton, D.A. 1986. Ecology of mudflats with 3) Al-Hurban, A. E. and Al-Sulaimi, J. S. 2009. particular reference to those of the northern Recent Surface Sediments and Landforms of the Arabian Gulf. In: Haiwagy, R. et al. (eds), Kuwait Southern Area of Kuwait. European Journal of University, Kuwait. Marine Environment and Scientific Research, 38 (2), 272-295. Pollution, 83-96. 4) Al-Nafisi, R.S., Al-Ghadban, A., Gharib, I., and 16) Cowan, P.J. 1990. The Crab Plover in Kuwait and Bhat, N.R. 2009. Positive Impacts of Mangrove the northern Arabian Gulf: a brief review and Plantations on Kuwait's Coastal Environment. some new counts. OSME Bulletin 25, 6-9.
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