Sharjah: The Directorate of Public Works of Sharjah has handed over the Birds of Prey Centre in Al Ghail natural reserve in Kalba to the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA).
The centre, which is expected to open soon, aims to preserve rare birds of prey that live in the area, as well as provide a suitable and natural habitat for them.
It will also act as an educational platform, as the centre is expected to be an important destination for school trips to teach students about the life of birds of prey, as well as teach them to distinguish between different types and their habitats. The centre is also expected to be a source of information about different types of environments in UAE.
The project had cost Dh18 million and is one of the elements of the Kalba Eco-Tourism Project sponsored by Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority).
The centre has cages to house and showcase the birds, an amphitheatre that can accommodate 250 people, a farm, a building for souvenirs, a building for the administration and labour housing.
The centre will have specialist veterinarians to take care of the birds.
The directorate said that the project is a reflection of one of the top strategic priorities of Sharjah Government to preserve natural resources and components of Kalba city, as a unique home and shelter for wild animals and birds and a well-known destination for tourists.
Marwan Bin Jasem Al Serkal, CEO of Shurooq, said that all the entities of Sharjah Government do their best to accomplish and implement the vision and instruction of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to enhance and support eco-tourism projects.
“I believe that the Kalba eco-tourism project is going on with steady progress and according to the implementation timeline thanks to the high level of coordination between the concerned entities,” he said, adding that the eco-tourism project will be one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Sharjah and the UAE in general.
