• Mangroves at the Marawah Biosphere Reserve. All photos: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
    Mangroves at the Marawah Biosphere Reserve. All photos: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
  • Dwarf palm, one of the rarest plants in Abu Dhabi, at Jebel Hafeet
    Dwarf palm, one of the rarest plants in Abu Dhabi, at Jebel Hafeet
  • The coral reefs of Al Yasat Marine Protected Area
    The coral reefs of Al Yasat Marine Protected Area
  • Arabian Oryx. Abu Dhabi is a regional leader for establishing and managing nature reserves
    Arabian Oryx. Abu Dhabi is a regional leader for establishing and managing nature reserves
  • Houbara Protected Area in Al Dafra
    Houbara Protected Area in Al Dafra

Abu Dhabi increases protection of wildlife and natural habitats


  • English
  • Arabic

Wildlife and natural habitats in Abu Dhabi are getting an extra layer of protection through a new Environment Agency policy.

Al Saadiyat Marine National Park and Mangrove Marine National Park are two of the areas covered in the Protected Areas Policy, issued on Tuesday by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and chairman of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

Houbara Protected Area in Al Dhafra and the coral reefs of Al Yasat Marina Protected Area are also included.

Projects and activities in or near the areas will require environmental impact studies and a licence from the agency under the new policy.

The aim is to protect the natural reserves that form the Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network and preserve the cultural and natural heritage of the emirate.

Marine reserves form 14 per cent of the total aquatic biome in the emirate, while terrestrial reserves make up 17 per cent of the land area.

Al Saadiyat features a thriving habitat that is home to the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, while the Mangrove Park is home to millions of mangrove trees that support a thriving ecosystem.

The new policy comes after President Sheikh Mohamed declared 2023 the UAE's Year of Sustainability.

“The issuance of the protected areas policy in Abu Dhabi is a first in the UAE, and aims to strengthen and expand the network of protected areas in the emirate to keep pace with the rapid urbanisation and development efforts, climate change and the increasing pressures and demand for natural resource and sustainable development,” said Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, secretary general of the agency.

It will increase ecotourism opportunities and preserve the aesthetic value of Abu Dhabi's landmarks and terrestrial and marine landscapes, she said.

Houbara Protected Area, located in the Al Dhafra region, is one of the areas covered by the new policy. Photo: EAD
Houbara Protected Area, located in the Al Dhafra region, is one of the areas covered by the new policy. Photo: EAD

More than 15 government, semi-government and private agencies contributed to the policy.

It is in line with the UAE's sustainability goals and the protection of natural resources, as well as the preservation of biodiversity, habitats and vital species, Dr Al Dhaheri said.

Protected areas in Abu Dhabi offer investment opportunities that can contribute to the local economy and support the health and happiness of residents.

Habiba Al Marashi, chairwoman of Emirates Environmental Group, welcomed the new policy.

The “very strong step” demonstrates that the authorities recognise the importance of environmental issues as well as economic development, she said.

“The issuing of these kinds of laws sends a strong message to all the players on the ground as well as internationally that the UAE is serious about its sustainability strategy and it wants to play a very responsible role not only on the national level but on the global level as well,” she said.

Enforcement of the policy was key, with the issuing of the new law being the first step, she added.

“You have to have qualified people to monitor and ensure the implementation of these policies, as enforcement is very important. This is a continuous process,” she said.

The policy will help to protect and manage biodiversity and habitats, and enhance the emirate's ability to adapt to climate change, the agency said.

“The policy's scope includes all types of current and future nature reserves, in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems including all national parks, wetlands and biosphere reserves,” said Ahmed Al Hashemi, executive director of the agency's terrestrial and marine biodiversity sector.

It also applies to “areas located around the declared boundaries of natural reserves,” he added, as “any activities or projects in these specific areas may impact the environmental elements of natural reserves”.

'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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The Gandhi Murder
  • 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
  • 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
  • 7 - million dollars, the film's budget 
Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad. 

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

The biog

Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar

Nationality: Emirati

Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology

Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels

Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs

Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends

PROFILE OF STARZPLAY

Date started: 2014

Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand

Number of employees: 125

Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners

How it works

Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.

Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.

As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.

A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.

Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.

What is type-1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.

It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.

Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.

Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.

Overview

Cricket World Cup League Two: Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu

Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20six-cylinder%20turbo%20(BMW%20B58)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20340hp%20at%206%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500Nm%20from%201%2C600-4%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20ZF%208-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100kph%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.2sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20267kph%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh462%2C189%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWarranty%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030-month%2F48%2C000k%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: from Dh155,000

On sale: now

PAKISTAN SQUAD

Abid Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (test captain), Babar Azam (T20 captain), Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz, Imad Wasim, Kashif Bhatti, Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah. 

A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

THE BIO

Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

Favourite Book: The Alchemist

Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna

Favourite cuisine: Italian food

Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman

 

 

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

The biog

DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year

The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry

Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm

Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group H

Juventus v Valencia, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)

Updated: May 30, 2023, 2:26 PM