Sharjah: A number of projects aimed at conserving the plants and animals of the UAE and the Arab world have been launched by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
One of these projects includes Al Hafia Protected Area which is set to open within two weeks in the emirate. Dr Shaikh Sultan noted that the Al Hafia project is important for preserving the freedom of animals and creating an educational environment for the people. He was speaking at the 17th Annual International Conservation Workshop for Arabia’s Biodiversity on Tuesday.
The workshop opened on Monday and is being hosted by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife in Sharjah.
Addressing environmental and conservation experts, he expressed his anguish over the immense loss that the region has suffered because of reckless abuse of natural resources, smuggling and conflicts. He said the UAE has strict laws and procedures to protect animals and natural resources and that Sharjah has taken steps to stop all import of protected animals in cages through Sharjah International Airport.
Talking about his own experience of conserving rare species of plants and seeds over the past 25 to 30 years, Dr Shaikh Sultan said that he has invited Kew Gardens in London to Sharjah to work with the emirate’s authorities in conserving rare plant species and also create a seed bank. He said that the initiative has already been successful in identifying and restoring 30 unknown plants and seven that had disappeared entirely. Another important project that is being implemented by the Arab world is to restore animals to their natural habitat, in which Sharjah has been fully involved, he said, adding that conflicts in Yemen, Iraq and Syria have also destroyed their rich natural habitats and animal and plant diversity.
He called for sensitising children on the treatment of animals and educating coming generations about the importance of protecting natural resources and animal and plant diversity.
Dr Shaikh Sultan attended some of the seminars and lectures at Tuesday’s event, which were given by a group of international speakers, including David Mallon, Mike Knight and Philip Seddon, with the participation of more than 100 experts from ten countries, representing an opportunity for discussion, exchange of ideas and highlighting latest biodiversity conservation practices.
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, chairperson of the EPAA, said that Sharjah was the first to gather experts and specialists from around the world with the aim of providing information on animals of the Arabian Peninsula for the purpose of producing a Regional Red List assessment of all the terrestrial mammal species in the Arabian Peninsula, as well as a status review of all its marine mammals, particularly those facing danger of extinction.
The Annual International Conservation Workshop for Arabia’s Biodiversity serves as a brainstorming session that aims to support international efforts and provide an opportunity for discussion and exchange of ideas on ways to maintain biodiversity.