UAE | Environment
Wildlife issues 'not well understood'
School students in the UAE are more aware of waste-related issues than nature and wildlife, suggests a survey initiated by the Emirates Wildlife Society - Worldwide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF).
- Staff Report
- Published: 23:19 January 21, 2009
Abu Dhabi: School students in the UAE are more aware of waste-related issues than nature and wildlife, suggests a survey initiated by the Emirates Wildlife Society - Worldwide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF).
Some 750 students under 15 took part in the survey on UAE wildlife and the environment which revealed "concerning gaps in student knowledge on the specific subject."
The survey was carried out in English and Arabic at public and private schools in late 2008.
Only one in ten children were able to identify a native UAE species beyond the camel and falcon. Some 29 per cent of pupils claimed goldfish lived in the sea off the coastline and waterways of the UAE.
Only 8 per cent recognised the ghaf tree as desert flora with 24 incorrectly stating the rose tree and 21 per cent the oak tree as being native to the UAE.
The awareness level on waste-related issues was higher with 72 per cent knowing the '3 Rs' 'Reduce, Re-use, Recycle', 65 per cent agreed pollution was a problem and 62 per cent belonged to households that recycled.
Although the survey revealed a clear lack of recognition of species and plants distinct to the UAE, the good news is over 86 per cent of respondent showed an interest to learn more. Also, encouragingly some 74 per cent of students recognised the need to protect the environment.
Rashmi De Roy, EWS-WWF, said in a statement: "For us, the most significant findings are those that refer to a genuine interest in wildlife and the desire of students to protect the environment in which they live."
Share this article
More from UAE Environment
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
The best reader pictures from around the emirates this week
Latest news
- Residents raise a stink over garbage collection
- Policewoman charged with stealing Dh12,000
- Discipline those reserving parking slots
- Lifesavers to pit skills during Dubai event
- Media, employers can do more to help disabled
- Support colleagues with arthritis, doctors advise
- Music to get into the patriotic mood
- Saif: December 2 stands out in history
- Well-wishers welcome Haj pilgrims back
- Lebanese singer May Hariri dedicates song to people of the UAE
- Majida El Roumi's concert a big hit
- Top movie stars likely to grace DIFF
- National Day decorations
- Girl dies in fire started by stepbrother
- A road that is best avoided
Community Reports
-
Discipline those reserving parking slots
Some residents in Hor Al Anz are using unauthorised methods to hold parking spaces to ransom even when they have no use for them
-
A road that is best avoided
Thoroughfare connecting capital's Hamdan Street and Electra Street poses safety and health hazards
-
Please don't use two parking spaces
Thoughtless drivers means other motorists are losing out in a city where places to leave cars are often hard to find
-
School buses must do safe drop-offs
Some bus drivers let students off at the wrong side of the road
