Water is theme of Environment Day

The theme of National Environment Day celebrations being organised by the Federal Environment Agency (FEA) is "Water Resource: Continuity and Development".

Dr Salem Al Dhaheri, FEA Director General, yesterday said at a press conference: "Since water is a vital resource particularly to the UAE desert environment, it is necessary to raise awareness on how to use it."

Statistics released in 2000 by the FEA show that the demand for water increased from 789 million cubic metres to 149 billion over the last decade. This is due to increase in agriculture, city beautification and individual consumption.

Recently, the national environmental strategy project was approved by the cabinet which has a three stage plan to develop an effective strategy to conserve environmental resources.

The environment strategy project began in 1997 in cooperation with the United Nations and the Asian Organisation which aimed to collect data and set priorities in working for the environment.

The second stage of the project was to produce work plans for each environmental sector in the country and then merge them.

An action plan has been evolved to implement the projects. Major areas of concern are water resources, marine and air pollution and conservation of environmental resources.

The FEA will also be a supervising body that oversees the concentration of radiation substances in food products in co-operation with the Ministry of Health.

National Environment Day, to be observed on February 4, will comprise activities organised by environmental agencies in the UAE.

Environmental departments concerned with electricity and water will make preparations for National Environment Day. An exhibition will be organised in Dubai to show water as a part of the environment and presenting ways for conservation.

The first issue of the FEA magazine "Emirates and the Environ-ment" dealing with UAE environmental issues will be distributed during the celebrations to ministries and government authorities.