TAKING ACTION TODAY FOR A LIVING PLANET TOMORROW

WWF/EWS is a local environmental agency established in February 2001 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan to implement conservation actions for the protection of local biodiversity

VOL 8 SPRING EDITION 2005 THIS ISSUE ’s Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is representative of the emirate’s fast disappearing natural heritage. This survived when the creek was dredged in the 1970s. Can it, once again, resist developmental pressures? WWF would like to adopt an optimistic view. WWF UAE Corporate Club members, Khaleej Times and Choithram, have environment news to give and sustainable resource - use to speak of. Also, there are many WWF project updates.

Save Dubai’s Green Lung

Not many cities in the world can be credited with protecting wilderness in the midst of shimmering high rises, paved roads and swirling traffic! But Dubai is one city that has succeeded…so far. It has Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Thousands of migratory birds flock here during winter, many traversing continents and oceans to do so. Mangroves in this wetland reserve are dense, air fresh, and the ambience rejuvenating. But developers are knocking on the Sanctuary’s door and, very soon, Dubai must choose: Protect its last patch of wild? Or surrender to the commercial blitz?

How the Ras Al Khor came about the management of flamingos join the resident during (Environment Department’s Marine winter, when a total of 2, 300 flamingos The creek, which divides Dubai into two Environment and Sanctuaries Unit). have been counted. parts, has played a major role in the city’s trade development. At one time, Post protection BirdLife International (a global alliance the creek was a wide intertidal area with working for birds and people) identifies large mudflats. But dredging operations Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is 6.2 the wetland as an Important Bird Area in the 1970s and 1980s transformed it sq km and surrounded by a buffer zone. (IBA) in the Middle East. Out of the 88 into a well-navigated waterway. Pockets Its varied ecosystems support diverse wetland bird species found here, 9 of natural habitat, however, survived at flora and fauna of which the most occur in internationally important the landward end, attracting migratory visible, at the same time alluring, are numbers (over 1% of world birds in large numbers. Following years avifauna. Among these, the majestic population). Besides, Ras Al Khor is of hunting disturbance, the Sanctuary flamingos get pride of place, their pink UAE’s most important site for waders was established in 1985. However, it plumage set against dark mangroves and some species of migratory duck. was officially declared a protected area drawing considerable interest from Also, a greater variety of raptors is only in 1998 when it was brought under residents and tourists alike. Migrant found here than anywhere else in the

2 country. Although birds are found through the National Bank of Dubai (NBD) generously sponsored visitor year, their numbers peak in January facilities at Ras Al Khor. NBD has been in operation for over when migratory wildfowl are present 40 years. Founded in 1963, it is the oldest locally and numbers exceed 25,000. incorporated bank in the Southern Gulf. Dar al Khair talks to NBD Chief Manager International, Abdulshakoor Tahlak. Promoting nature awareness What motivated NBD to support the Ras Al Khor Abdulshakoor Tahlak, th The 28 of February 2005 marked a bird watch hides project? Chief Manager significant day for conservation in International, National Dubai. Three bird hides opened in Ras National Bank of Dubai has always supported communal Bank of Dubai Al Khor. These were installed by Dubai activities that enhance environmental protection. In sponsoring the Ras Al Khor Municipality in partnership with the project, we were able to promote ecotourism as well as preserve the wildlife in an WWF UAE and National Bank of Dubai. attempt to sustain the legacy of the UAE for future generations. With this, the Sanctuary opened up to visitors – a boon to present and Which are some other projects that NBD has sponsored/is sponsoring? potential nature lovers. In a rapidly developing emirate, where commercial Since one of our chief aims is supporting the communities we serve, our interests reign supreme, the availability sponsorships tend to be diverse in nature. In 2005 we sponsored the FEI Endurance of opportunities for bird watching is Race that was held in January. We have also sponsored the Dubai Desert Classic more than welcome. and Horse Race for many years now. In 2004, NBD actively participated in the Arab Strategy Forum and Dubai International Film Festival. Moreover, we have “It has a high educational value,” keenly supported and participated in many educational initiatives over the years. comments Dr. Frederic Launay, Director, Our focus has been the funding of schools and colleges as well as centres for WWF UAE. “The Khor is a peaceful, special needs. Of course, our sponsorship list is long but this is just to name a few. open area where one gets a real sense of nature. Ras Al Khor offers a great Do you have an environmental message for our readers? opportunity for people to see what Dubai has to offer in terms of the In an effort to sustain the legacy of the UAE for future generations, a number of wilderness,” he continues. significant initiatives have already been undertaken throughout the country. However, it is still the responsibility of every individual to play a part in raising The peril environmental awareness and preserving the nation’s natural resources.

However, threats loom over Ras Al it would destroy the habitat of wading Government, companies and public Khor. As part of the tidal wave of real birds, including flamingos,” cautions would be distressed to see this happen. estate and commercial growth that is Dr. Launay. “Ras Al Khor has a high WWF feels the Sanctuary is a vital sweeping across the emirate, a profile with the residents of component of the quality of life in business district is to come up at one Dubai…and we are sure the Dubai…and must remain unscathed.” end of the Sanctuary and an assortment of constructions along the remaining periphery. Some dredging is also envisaged for extending the creek.

“We hope that the developers consider the importance of the Sanctuary rather than overlook it,” says Eng. Redha Hassan Salman, Head, Environment Protection and Safety Section, Dubai Municipality.

It is feared there may be hydrological changes if the creek is extended. “If the biologically rich mudflats are damaged,

Above left: Ras Al Khor from the ‘Mangrove’ bird hide Right: Inside the bird hide. Photographic murals display flora and fauna found in the sanctuary.

3 WWF - EWS in the UAE PROJECT NEWS

Conservation of coral habitats in Enviro-Spellathon 2004 – 2005 the Arabian Gulf Enviro-Spellathon opened on 1 March The project entails studying Arabian Gulf 2005 for primary schools in Dubai, coral reefs to clearly understand their Sharjah and . The launch was a status and develop a plan for their well attended function hosted by Sharjah’s conservation. In the first assessment of its Environment and Protected Areas kind in the Gulf, WWF UAE and partners Authority (EPAA) at Arabia’s Wildlife will record and map coral reefs during Centre, Desert Park. All project partners 2005 - 2007. Diversity and condition of were present, including Dubai representative reefs will be investigated Bird hide in Ras Al Khor Municipality, Fujairah Municipality, and potential for recovery of degraded ERWDA, Sharjah Education Zone habitats assessed in the area between Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, (Ministry of Education), WWF UAE and Abu Dhabi and Qatar. President of Dubai Civil Aviation and sponsor, Shell. First Gulf Bank, co- Chairman of Emirates Group, inaugurated sponsor of the project was, unfortunately, A key project component is increasing the the hides at a ceremony in Ras Al Khor unable to attend. The project is now capacity to work on coral conservation by on 28 February 2005. For the time being, underway – schools are registering their training national staff members of the two visitors are allowed access to two of the participation with project partners, Enviro- partner agencies - Environmental three hides from 9 am to 4 pm on all days Spellathon booklets are being distributed Research and Wildlife Development other than Friday. In a little over two for study and question papers have been Agency (ERWDA) in Abu Dhabi and weeks of their opening, as many as 240 developed. The project will close for the Supreme Council for the Environment visitors from 39 nationalities came to the present academic year on 30th June. and Natural Reserves (SCENR) in Qatar. hides for bird watching. Their comments are, to say the least, highly appreciative of WWF UAE website The project sponsor is Dolphin Energy the facilities. Ltd., which is implementing the Dolphin WWF UAE now has its own website – Gas Project designed to supply natural WWF UAE has worked with Dubai http://www.panda.org/uae gas from offshore Qatar to the UAE by Municipality and project sponsor - National 2006. Other energy-related developments Bank of Dubai - to equip Ras Al Khor’s bird “Arabian Quest” for conservation undertaken by the company include the Al hides with binoculars, telescopes, picture Ain - Fujairah Gas Pipeline, operational panels, brochures and signs. since January 2004. CITES enforcement capacity Ras Al Khor bird hides building

Bird hides have opened in Ras Al Khor The last two years of the WWF UAE Wildlife Sanctuary. This is the first such project on CITES (Convention on facility for a nature reserve in the UAE International Trade in Endangered Species and, perhaps, the region. His Highness of Wild Fauna and Flora) have paved the way for intensive training of customs Mountain Extreme, an ecotourism officials that will begin this year. This company organized an eco-adventure training will target customs officials race on 18th March in the mountains of responsible for recognizing, confiscating Ras Al Khaimah. Funds raised from the and enforcing CITES in the UAE. It will be event are being donated to WWF UAE / conducted in Arabic by CITES-trained EWS as contribution towards developing officials and will include specific a mountain protected area in the emirate. identification materials produced and Such a nature reserve has been proposed translated solely for the project. The in partnership with the Environment CITES project is sponsored by ERWDA - Protection and Industrial Development His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum Abu Dhabi. Commission, Ras Al Khaimah. opens the hides

4 WWF in the world

Water crisis looms as Himalayan Asia’s greatest rivers (the Ganges, Indus, Buddhist shrine at the edge of Ngozumba Glacier, Khumbu Valley, Nepal. Himalayan glaciers are glaciers retreat Brahmaputra, Salween, Mekong, Yangtze retreating © WWF – Canon / Neyret & Benastar and Huange He), ensuring a year-round A new WWF report — An Overview of water supply to millions of people in the world, including China and India, followed Glaciers, Glacier Retreat and Subsequent Indian subcontinent and China. As glacier by a G8 meeting of development and Impacts in Nepal, India and China — water flows dwindle, the energy potential of environment ministers focusing on climate reveals the rate of retreat of Himalayan hydroelectric power will decrease causing change and on Africa. Both meetings were glaciers accelerating as global warming problems for industry, while reduced hosted by the UK government in London increases. The report states that glaciers in irrigation means lower crop production. on 15-18 March. WWF sent a letter to the region are now receding at an average participating ministers, stressing the need rate of 10–15 metres per year. The report was released on the eve of a to recognize climate change as an issue two-day ministerial roundtable of the 20 that seriously threatens security and Himalayan glaciers feed into seven of largest energy using economies in the development prospects.

World Week Fight continues for Arctic Refuge The Senate now has to vote on the budget resolution but the final step is for approval Each year in February, people all around WWF is confident that plans to drill for oil in by Congress. WWF US has launched a the world celebrate the value of wetlands the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) conservation action alert, asking its and make new commitments to protect this will not take place, despite a decision in activists to urge their representatives to important source of water. Wetlands support of drilling by the US Senate. keep Arctic drilling out of the House contain more species per area than other budget resolution. It is also calling on habitats and their effective management is On 16 March, the US Senate voted by a representatives and senators to co-sponsor an investment for people and wildlife. razor-thin margin to take the first step legislation designating the coastal plain of February 2 marks World Wetlands Day. On towards drilling for oil in the ANWR. While the refuge a federal wilderness. this day, in 1971, the Ramsar Convention disappointed with the result of the vote, on Wetlands signed in Ramsar (Iran) along WWF was keen to underline the narrow Fishing boat in the early morning in August, off the Caspian Sea. margin of victory. the coast of Unalaska Island near Dutch Harbour, Alaska, USA © WWF – Canon / Kevin Schafer The ANWR is located in the US state of Alaska. Covering 19 million acres, it is the size of North Carolina. The ANWR is of particular interest to WWF as it is home to 45 types of mammal, including polar bears and caribou and 180 species of bird. The oil potential is estimated at 16 billion barrels. Left: Sindh Wildlife Department staff take an Indus river dolphin (Platanista minor) for release, © WWF-Canon / WWF-Pakistan/Uzma Khan

5 CORPORATE NEWS

CHOITHRAM GROUP’S ‘STAFF PROFICIENCY AWARDS’

One of the critical realisations made by the Choithram group is translating an ecological or environmental aspiration into, not just effective, but sustained, action in practice. In a conscious effort to avoid flag waving and, instead, to establish an ongoing awareness, they have assigned environmental patrolmen and also developed computer programmes designed to measure and bring about savings in the consumption of electricity, water, gas and materials usage. Organic vegetables, pulses and grains grown on the Choithram farm (Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India). “We have been heartened that these measures have yielded savings of up to 5% on our previous accounting year; mindful that these represent ORGANIC PRODUCE not just monetary savings but consumption of resources. Continuous attention to this is not easily maintained and, in order to achieve These products are being developed to add to the range of positive results we have instituted, since July 2004, ‘staff proficiency Choithram’s own label products. The environmental and awards’ in which responsible environmental practices form important health advantages of organic food are well documented and criteria,” says L.T. Pagarani, Chairman, Choithram Group of this approach to farming forms part of the Choithram Companies. commitment to responsible business practice.

CORPORATE INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW WITH PREM CHANDRAN, EDITOR, KHALEEJ TIMES

Khaleej Times has been a member of the WWF UAE Corporate Club for the last three years. The esteemed English language daily with a large readership in the UAE and the Gulf region has promoted conservation campaigns by providing free advertisement space for WWF. Whether it is by way of publicity for greeting cards, the announcement of an environmental celebration, a job vacancy, news report or any other endeavour, Khaleej Times (KT) has willingly supported WWF.

Rashmi De Roy meets up with Prem Pakistan, India and several other Chandran, editor, to talk about KT and countries with which the UAE has its view on the environment. relations.

Dar al Khair: Give us a Does Khaleej Times have an background on Khaleej Times in environmental policy? the UAE Khaleej Times has always been Prem Chandran, editor, KT: Khaleej supportive of environment-related Times was the first English language activities. It has been backing all daily to start in the UAE, way back on activities in the UAE, particularly in this 16 April, 1978. Over the years, it has respect, by both governmental and grown in size, both in terms of pages voluntary agencies. Also, the fact that and sections, as also in respect of news KT is the one member of the print and views. KT today boasts of media to lend its support to WWF UAE exhaustive coverage of local, regional Prem Chandran, editor, Khaleej Times is indicative of our commitment and and international events. The daily also Fridays and Young Times, a separate interest in environmental issues. That’s has a business section, the Business entity that is published every Tuesday. why we have been only too happy to Times; a sports section, the Sports There are also hundreds of join your Corporate Club right from the Times; and an entertainment section, supplements, under the Supplements time it was launched. We are pleased to the Citytimes. Added to these are: section, that come out on occasions both participate in the WWF’s Weekend that appears with the daily on like the national days of AGCC states, programmes and report on these,

6 thereby helping spread environmental issues, health…Environmental subjects Another is the fact that the English awareness. We also welcome news in this part of the world are usually media has a large presence of from you and would willingly carry about announcements of project journalists from outside this country. stories, articles and news, apart from launches, seminars, conferences, They may be having some hesitation in what our own journalists do. workshops, festivals, and celebrations, raking up sensitive issues in a foreign most of which come to us by way of land, by way of criticism. The Arabic Of course, the free advertisements that press releases. I haven’t come across media is better positioned to speak up KT has provided, and continues to many investigated pieces or researched on some of these subjects. provide, is our contribution to the WWF articles in this respect. as their Corporate Club member and A third is low interest levels of the towards the cause of a better The environmental topics talked of here reading public. Interest in most cases is environment. have to do with waste and littering, focused on other aspects. The recycling, pollution (to some extent) expatriates, who constitute the bulk of On an average, how many stories among others. the population, are here today, gone does KT print on the environment tomorrow. I am not sure how much per week or per month? What do you consider are the interest they have by way of getting constraints in respect of involved in ecological issues. The UAE I would say, roughly seven items a environmental reporting in the nationals may be better positioned to be week in the broadsheet. This is, on an UAE? in the forefront of such initiatives. average a story a day. In addition, our associated publications periodically Projections are that UAE will spend What made KT join the WWF carry features and supplements on more than $64 billion in environmental Corporate Club? environment. I am sure we do not miss projects by year 2015. There is out on happenings relating to tremendous scope to report on these This is a global initiative with a noble environmental safety and conservation. activities. But, one very rarely gets aim and purpose. The message is that There have been any number of features tipped off about environmental issues we take care of our surroundings for on conservation topics that we have here; more so if the news is damaging. now and for future generations. Khaleej done. Write ups on issues depend on Such tip offs happen in other countries, Times is glad to be involved in the kind the availability of supporting where non-governmental organizations of activities that the WWF takes up. As information supplied by responsible take on aggressive stands, while a media organisation, we are happy to conservation organizations such as scientists, individuals or even officials support your work and be part of a yours. themselves come forward to provide good cause. Environment is a common information to the media. concern of all humanity and we take it Do you think environment is a as our major concern too. major area of interest for the UAE media? Various publications of Khaleej Times

Not yet. That’s my feeling. But is it different anywhere else? Unless there is a big disaster like the tsunami or Bhopal gas or Exxon Valdez oil spill, does environment make lead news? A reason might be that environmental degradation doesn’t impact immediately on our lives. The larger issues are to do with politics, business, social

WWF-EWS Corporate Club Members in the UAE AME Info, Canon Middle East, T. Choithram & Sons, DHL, Dolphin Energy Ltd, Khaleej Times, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Sony Gulf FZE

7 18,WF-WrdWd udFrNtr Frel ol idieFn) WWF Registered Trademark owner Printed on recyc ©1986, WWF - World Wide Fund For Nature (Formerly World Wildlife Fund) ® OFFICE NEWS

The Europe (and Middle East) Programme Sub-Committee (EPSC) of WWF International held its annual meeting (7 – 9 March 2005) in Dubai. About 40 WWF staff participated including conservation programme directors, researchers and other officers. WWF UAE was also present. Three days of intense deliberations took place at the Hatta Fort Hotel. On the lighter side, we hosted a dinner with a true Arabian flavour for our guests from the WWF family and our own board and corporate members. After the meeting, all went off to Wadi Bih and trekked to a Bedouin village where John Falchetto and his colleague from Mountain Extreme, an ecotourism venture, played host.

We are pleased to welcome Mannar Kassem who has joined the WWF UAE team as Marketing and Fund Raising Officer. She will work out of the WWF UAE office in Abu Dhabi.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS WE ARE: Ahmed, Shahbaz Project Officer, tel +9714 3537761 [email protected] 22 March World Water Day Al Mubarak, Razan Sr. Prog Officer, tel +9712 6934425 22 – 29 March Gulf Water Week [email protected] De Roy, Rashmi Communications, tel +9714 22 April Earth Day 3537761 [email protected] Kassem, Manar Marketing & Fundraising, tel +971 22 May International Day for Biological Diversity 2 6817171 [email protected] Launay, Dr. Frédéric Director, tel + 9712 6817171 5 June World Environment Day [email protected] 17 June World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought Perry, Lisa S. Programme Development, tel +9714 3537761 [email protected] 11 July World Population Day Ziyaee, Nariman Executive Secretary, tel + 9712 led paper 6817171 [email protected]

Dear Reader, you can download Dar Al Khair from http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Arabian_Environment and http://www.panda.org/uae. Do write and tell us what you think of our newsletter. Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve? We would love to hear from you. Reach us at: Dar al Khair, Editor: Rashmi De Roy P.O. Box 45977, Dubai Tel +9714 3537761 Fax +9714 3537752 Email [email protected]

Cover picture: Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) in Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubai, UAE (Inset) H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and NBD Chief Manager International, Abdulshakoor Tahlak reading the Ras Al Khor brochure inside the ‘Lagoon’ bird hide © WWF UAE / Nick Crawley.

Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is one of four turtle species that occurs in UAE waters but numbers have never been assessed. Oman holds the world’s largest nesting population of the species © WWF-Canon / Isaac VEGA

West Asia and North Africa, where most Arabic peoples live, are almost entirely in an arid zone. Yet the area supported civilizations since pre-historic times, gave rise to three of five major world religions, contained (and still does) a rich variety of plants and animals. Often these are composed of species uniquely adapted to life in dry, harsh conditions. The history and culture of the Arab people, and the Islamic heritage that encompasses this region, acknowledges the importance of all living things and the need to protect and preserve the natural environment. The early goals of protected areas or himas can be found in the teachings of Islam.