Call to help make Bu Tinah a wonder of the world

Abu Dhabi: Officials are seeking the help of residents to have Bu Tinah included as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Residents are urged to vote in favour of this tiny archipelago, which lies 130km west of Abu Dhabi.

The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi's Bu Tinah campaign received a boost yesterday when the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) agreed to become the Platinum Sponsor.

Bu Tinah, the only UAE finalist, earlier this year emerged as one of just 28 chosen from a list of 447 sites in 224 countries.

Bu Tinah in 3 Minutes (English) from Bu Tinah Island on Vimeo.

Finalists were selected as a result of a global poll to choose the "New Seven Wonders of Nature".

Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) chief operating officer Ahmad Hussain said: "Reaching the final list of 28 is an impressive achievement given the sheer global scale of this campaign".

Conservation

"The conservation, preservation and sustainability of the environment are part of TDIC's philosophy so we are proud to be sponsoring this jewel of the Arabian Gulf," Hussain said.

Regional entries in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign

The island will be competing against some of the world's best natural landmarks including the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef. Winners are to be declared on November 11, 2011.

Laila Al Hassan of the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) said: "The EAD is very pleased with TDIC's support and we are calling on more companies to come on board with us to make this campaign a success.

"We urge residents to vote for Bu Tinah if they love the UAE. It will be a victory for the whole country," Laila said. "The campaign is progressing well and is helping environment officials create awareness on important topics along the way. The campaigns' Facebook group alone has over 1,000 supporters."

The mobile voting booth has visited 17 government departments so far.

Departments could ask the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi to send the voting booth to their premises, Laila said.

Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi Director Biodiversity Management Sector Thabit Zahran Al Abdul Salam said: "Bu Tinah Island is truly remarkable — coral reefs thriving in up to 37C water, populated by an amazing range of marine life and part of a huge, protected nature reserve.

"Most people would never expect to find this fascinating ecosystem in the Emirates, better known for its bustling cultural and business centres," he said. More than one billion voters around the world are expected to choose the New Seven Wonders of Nature, New7Wonders Director and Head of Value Development Jean-Paul de la Fuente said.

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:  Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi

 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)