Sharjah: The international convention of wetlands, Ramsar, has added Al Qaram trees and Al Hafiya protected area located in Sharjah’s Kalba city to their list of sites after recently approving their accreditation.
The announcement was made by Hana Al Suwaidi, director general of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, at a press conference yesterday which discussed the nature of the Ramsar-listed site that was first announced as a protected area in July 2012.
Being the only area in the UAE surrounded by forests of Al Qaram trees on the coast of Oman, the site enjoys mineral-rich soil which creates an environment that allows for the reproduction of numerous plants, fish, birds and invertebrates.
“The area enjoys a high biological value due to its status as a marine wetland with a sandy strip, mud and salt flats which freshwater pours into, which makes it rich with oxygen and nutrition, allowing for the creation of a fertile environment, teeming with marine life,” said Al Suwaidi.
The Environment and Protected Areas Authority has also confirmed the return of biodiversity to the area through land surveys, and has announced that the project will incorporate a learning centre focusing on rare animals and another that showcases raptors.
Nessrine Al Zahlawi, Deputy Adviser for Asia-Oceania at Ramsar, who also attended the press conference, explained that the site was given the accreditation after meeting the criteria set by Ramsar which included the site being a habitat for birds or fish that are under the threat of extinction.
“A wide range of animals depend on this wetland, such as globally threatened sea turtles and many rare birds,” she said adding that the mangroves also play an important role in maintaining fish stocks as they act as a shelter for juvenile fish.
“The trees act as a powerful natural breakwater protecting us from the force of storms, cyclones, and reducing the damage caused by floods,” she added. Al zahlawi also pointed out that the trees help stabiliSe the coastline and protect people living close to the coast.
