Abu Dhabi: The melodious humming of birds, unspoilt beaches, magnificent coral reefs, dense mangroves, spectacular sunsets, hundreds of turtles, dolphins, endangered dugongs …the list of nature's bounties on Bu Tinah goes on and on.
UAE's very own wonderland, Bu Tinah, is now vying to be one amongst the new Seven Wonders of the Nature.
The only finalist from the UAE, the horse-shaped archipelago is located 130 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi.
Regional entries in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign
The place recently emerged as one of the 28 finalists from a list of 447 sites across 224 countries, in the final phase of a global poll to choose the "New 7 Wonders of Nature".
Bu Tinah in 3 Minutes (English) from Bu Tinah Island on Vimeo.
Backing the nomination, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) launched on Thursday, a Dh 28 million campaign to encourage the public to cast their votes in favour of Bu Tinah.
The island will be competing against some of the world's best natural landmarks including Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef. The winners are to be declared on November 11, 2011.
"Bu Tinah is a unique global natural wonder. Its value to mankind is very clear and we are extremely proud that it belongs to the Arab world. We would like to call upon your national pride and love of nature to vote for Bu Tinah" Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD, said at the launch.
"The island is undisturbed by human intrusion and has a thriving ecosystem. By promoting it, we aim to not just help UAE be home to one of the seven wonders but also to increase awareness along the way, and the cause of environmental conservation", he told Gulf News.
Bu Tinah is a core area of the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve-the first marine biosphere reserve in the region.
Al Mansouri urged climate scientists to study the unique features of the island, which might help advance their research.
"The Island is unique; in spite of the harsh temperatures and salinity, its habitats and species, including coral, dugongs and sea turtles, continue to thrive, making the island an important location for climate change studies", he said.
The Dh 28 million Vote for Bu Tinah campaign will spread the message locally, regionally and internationally through various media including newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, Internet and advertising in malls and other public spaces, he noted.
Unique living laboratory for climate change research
Bu Tinah is a unique living laboratory for climate change research, a senior environment official has said, calling on scientists to bring their research to this UAE Island.
"It is very significant that right here in our homeland, we are blessed with thriving habitats that serve as a unique living laboratory, with key significance for climate change research", said Thabit Zahran Al Abdul Salaam, EAD's Director of Biodiversity Management Sector.
The Island hosts globally endangered marine life and critically important habitats including seagrass beds, mangroves, and coral reefs, birds such as the flamingoes ospreys, and Socotra cormorants, several species of dolphins, and sea turtles including hawksbill and green turtles are found in and around Bu Tinah's waters and shores", he said.
"The Island's waters are also home to the world's second-largest population of dugongs, a large marine mammal that is globally threatened. The island has the highest density of dugongs per square kilometre in the world", he said, explaining its uniqueness.
7 Reasons to Vote for Bu Tinah Island
Coral Reefs: Their survival, despite the harsh environment, has given researchers insight into coral reef survival elsewhere in the world in the face of global warming.
Natural Mangroves: They reach an average height of 5 metres and support wildlife including birds, fish and crustaceans.
Hawksbill Turtles: Every year, these critically endangered species arrive to Bu Tinah Island to nest.
Dugongs: These threatened species are often spotted swimming among the Island's extensive seagrass meadows. They have been able to live without disturbance in a clean natural sanctuary, thanks to EAD's management of the marine biosphere reserve.
Dolphins: The Indo-pacific humpback, bottlenose and common dolphins swim around the Island.
Ospreys: Bu Tinah Island is a major breeding site for this globally important bird.
Socotra Cormorants: Bu Tinah Island is a roost site for about 20,000-25,000 of these birds.
- Source: EAD
How to vote?
Visit Bu Tinah Website www.butinah.ae
or
Send a SMS with the word ‘BU TINAH' to 3888 (Dh 2 per SMS)
Would you like to visit the Bu Tinah islands? Which is your favourite natural spot in the UAE?
