UAE | Environment
Protecting Ras Al Khor sanctuary 'no easy task'
Dubai Municipality will face a daunting task to maintain the status of Ras Al Khor Sanctuary as a protected area after it was listed by the Ramsar Convention as the internationally recognised wetland, said an environment expert.
- By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter
- Published: 21:42 January 22, 2008
- Ras Al Khor Sanctuary is the first wildlife sanctuary in Dubai covering 6.2 square-kilometre area.
- Image Credit: Arshad Ali/Gulf News
Dubai: Dubai Municipality will face a daunting task to maintain the status of Ras Al Khor Sanctuary as a protected area after it was listed by the Ramsar Convention as the internationally recognised wetland, said an environment expert.
The expert on the condition of anonymity said that rising pollution in Dubai Creek from marine transport, dumping of untreated water from the sewage treatment plant and the upcoming major residential and commercial projects along the Dubai Creek are major threats to the wildlife sanctuary, which is located at the end of the Dubai Creek.
Safe haven
"Although property developers have committed some funds to protect the sanctuary, it will not help stop damage to the natural surroundings of the wetlands and the migratory birds will also possibly shy away from the site," he feared.
Dubai Municipality yesterday announced that the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary has been listed as an internationally recognised and protected wetland area in the UAE.
Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of wetland signed in 1971 in Iran, has confirmed the sanctuary as the UAE's first recognised wetland. It is the third such site in the GCC countries. The treaty was officially ratified by the UAE last year.
Hamdan Al Shair, Director of Environment Department at Dubai Municipality, said Al Shair said the sanctuary is one of the few urban protected areas in the world recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the BirdLife International. This sanctuary is established by fulfilling all the standard criteria of protected areas defined by IUCN - the World Conservation Union.
He noted that the sanctuary is a safe haven for a variety of plants, animals and birds, which are challenged by the demanding climatic regime, the geology and other physical conditions.
There are presently 157 Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention, with 1,708 wetland sites, totalling 153 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
"Being within the urban area, the sanctuary was always under regular anthropogenic threats and pressures. A series of measures, including the enactment of comprehensive laws and statutory regulations for the protection of the sanctuary and ensuring sustainable development have been taken," he said.
Ecosystem: 266 species of fauna
The Ras Al Khor sanctuary, which supports high species concentration and diverse ecosystems, is the first wildlife sanctuary in Dubai.
Covering 6.2 sq km and surrounded by a buffer zone, the sanctuary holds approximately 266 species of fauna and 47 species of flora.
The existence of various ecosystems within the sanctuary - mangroves, mudflats, lagoons, sabkhas, reed beds and shrub lands - contributes to rich biological diversity; as these support a variety of plants, insects, molluscs, fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals.
The majestic Flamingoes in the background of lush green mangroves are the most visible and attractive natural feature of the sanctuary.
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