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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 Dubai’s Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is representative of the emirate’s fast disappearing natural heritage. This wetland 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 Dubai Municipality 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 Jebel Ali 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 Fujairah. 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.

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