Fujairah wadi added to Unesco World Heritage Site tentative list

Wadi Wurayah is home to at least 860 different species of plants and animals

Wadi Wurayah in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National

On March 16, 2009, Wadi Wurayah became the first protected mountain area in the UAE, after a three-year campaign by the Emirates Wildlife Society in Association with World Wide Fund for Nature. Silvia Razgova / The National

A view of Wadi Wurayah in 2009. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Wadi Wurayah is the UAE's first national park. Silvia Razgova / The National

The upper part of the Wurayah waterfall in Wadi Wurayah National Park. Silvia Razgova / The National

Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah. Photo: Emirates Wildlife Society

The UAE's perennially blue skies reflected in a peaceful pool in Wadi Wurayah National Park. Photo: Emirates Wildlife Society

The UAE’s first mountain nature reserve, Fujairah’s Wadi Wurayah National Park, has been added to the Unesco World Heritage Site tentative list, state news agency Wam reported on Thursday.

Wadi Wurayah is an area of huge natural significance and is home to at least 860 different species of plants and animals, including the caracal, Arabian tahr, Blanford’s fox and the UAE’s only native orchid.

The park, which spans 220 square kilometres and was first declared a nature reserve in 2009, is also famous for its scenic waterfall, streams and pools set amid the Hajar Mountains.

It has also been recognised since 2010 as an important wetland under the Ramsar Convention.

“I am delighted that the first steps have now been taken for recognition of Wadi Wurayah as a World Heritage Site,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.

"Under directives of HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, the Fujairah Government has given all types of support to the Wadi Wurayah National Park.

“With the only permanent waterfall in the UAE and with a population of endangered plants and animals, it is a unique part of the country’s biodiversity and a key element of our environmental protection programme,” he said.

"On this occasion I am also pleased to announce the launch of the Wadi Wurayah new official identity and brand. Aesthetically resonating with the ancient and rich heritage of the Wadi, this will serve the vision of becoming an iconic world heritage site as well as its newly developed purpose to educate people about the unique characteristics of the wadi and its conservation," he said.

The addition of the park brings the number of UAE sites on the tentative list to 13. Others include Ras Al Khaimah's Al Jazirah Al Hamra pearling village and the Shimal tombs.

The only Unesco World Heritage Sites in the UAE are in Abu Dhabi at Al Ain.

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said the announcement was testament to the efforts of the UAE to preserve its heritage.

“I commend the efforts of the Fujairah Environment Authority and other Fujairah institutions in working to preserve and protect Wadi Wurayah, a key part of the country’s biodiversity,” said Ms Al Kaabi.

A detailed explanation of the park’s environment and biodiversity will now be prepared for evaluation by Unesco's scientific teams.

Ten things to do in Fujairah - in pictures:

Divers enjoy exploring the open seas at Dibba Rock in Fujairah. Sarah Dea / The National

Whale sharks can be seen sometimes during a dive at Dibba Rock. Photo: Mathieu Pique

Parasailing in Dibba gives a vantage view of the emirate's natural scenery. EPA

Fujairah Adventure Park is a great spot for biking. Pawan Singh / The National

A bird's eye view of the Fujairah Adventure Park. Pawan Singh / The National

Fujairah Adventure Park offers rock climbing. Pawan Singh / The National

Fujairah Fort changes colour between deep orange and light brown depending on the position of the Sun.

Journey of the Union participants raise the flag after stopping at the Emirate’s oldest fort and mosque at Fujairah. Lee Hoagland / The National

The carpet market, near Masafi, is popular with tourists and residents, with hundreds visiting daily. Mona Al-Marzooqi / The National

Friday Market in Masafi, Fujairah. Mona Al-Marzooqi / The National

Despite its name, the Friday market is open every day in Fujairah. Mona Al-Marzooqi / The National

Go glamping at The Retreat in Fujairah. Photo: Instagram / @the_retreat_glamp

Aqua Bounce floating water park is at Fairmont Fujairah. Photo: Instagram / @fairmontfujairah

Fujairah Heritage Village. Jaime Puebla / The National

Bull fighting, which lasts no longer than four minutes in an attempt to protect the animals, takes place by the Fujairah corniche. Jaime Puebla / The National

There are plans to transform Fujairah’s Umbrella Beach, one of the emirate's loveliest spots. Photo: Umbrella Beach