Dubai: Another major UAE wetland has been added to an internationally celebrated list of protected marshland areas deemed as critical for sustaining natural heritage around the globe.
Al Zorah Nature Reserve in Ajman has been officially declared a “Wetland of International Importance” under the Ramsar Convention, now the seventh such site in the UAE to earn a coveted spot on the Ramsar List.
Protected by law since 2004, Al Zorah Nature Reserve is a protected area spanning 195 hectares straddling the mouth of the one-kilometre-long Ajman Creek.
The global recognition reflects well on Ajman’s efforts to preserve natural heritage, according to Ramsar.
Ramsar sites, said the organisation, “are recognised as being of significant value not only for the country or the countries in which they are located, but for humanity as a whole”.
“There are currently over 2,200 Ramsar sites around the world,” the organisation said. They cover over 2.1 million square kilometres, an area larger than Mexico.”
The declaration recognises the achievements of the UAE in the field of nature conservation and protection of endangered land and marine species, said UAE and Ajman officials in a statement on Tuesday.
The Ramsar Convention, also known as the Convention on Wetlands, aims to protect wetlands, restore their basic ecological functions, and develop their economic, cultural and scientific role as well as recreational value.
Mariam Mohammad Saeed Hareb, assistant undersecretary for Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservation Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said in a statement: “The recognition of Al Zorah Nature Reserve under the Ramsar Convention is a result of the relentless efforts of Ajman’s Municipality and Planning Department to drive sustainability, protect the environment, preserve natural resources and instill a culture of social responsibility across the emirate.”
Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, director-general of Ajman’s Municipality and Planning Department, said the designation protects the wetland and “highlights its immense environmental value. Known for its rich and diverse ecosystem that includes mangroves, sandy beaches, salt flats and lagoons, the reserve offers a safe haven for 108 animal species — from corals and molluscs to fish and birds.
“Providing an ideal environment for certain marine species as well as native and migratory birds, especially during nesting season, the wetland site is also a highly sought-after destination by scientists and researchers to conduct field studies,” Al Nuaimi said.
Other Ramsar listed UAE sites:
Abu Dhabi Waterfront Reserve
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi
Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai
Sir Bu Nair Island Protected Area in Sharjah
Mangrove and Alhafeya Protected Area in Khor Kalba
Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah
