Fujairah CP calls for efforts to protect Wadi Wurayah nature reserve

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, led a ceremony to highlight the conservation efforts undertaken at Wadi Wurayah National Park and called for vigorous steps to protect the wildlife and water resources inside the park for future generations.

 

Wadi Wurayah National Park, established by law No (2) of 2009, is the first national park in the UAE and will serve as a regional model for wildlife and water conservation. The wadi encompasses one of the few permanent freshwater sources in the UAE and is home to many plants and animals that cannot be found elsewhere.

 

“As we move into the future, we must protect our natural heritage for the good of our people. The Park is a living and precious symbol of our respect for our past and our hopes for the future. As such, I have directed Fujairah Municipality and Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF) to establish and manage Wadi Wurayah National Park as a regional model for nature conservation,” said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi.

 

While making these remarks, His Highness was presiding over a ceremony highlighting many on-going nature conservation efforts by Fujairah Municipality and the EWS-WWF. His Highness praised the establishment of the National Park Headquarters, the continued on-site research aimed at preserving precious plants and animals of the area and the Water Research and Learning Programme formed in partnership with HSBC Middle East and Earthwatch Institute.

 

The Crown Prince indicated that although much progress had been made in conserving Wadi Wurayah, he looked forward to continued and effective conservation efforts and called on Fujairah Municipality and EWS-WWF to jointly lead these efforts.

 

“In recognition of the conservation directive issued by the Crown Prince, the Fujairah Municipality, together with its conservation partners is closing Wadi Wurayah National Park to establish it as a model conservation area for the region. In doing so, we are actively preparing to welcome the public to a well-established national park that will open in the future.” said His Excellency Eng. Mohamed Saif Al Afkham, Director General of the Fujairah Municipality.

 

Ida Tillisch, Director General of EWS-WWF, said: “The people of Fujairah and the UAE need this place. Not only do the people of the UAE need this place, but the world needs it too. We need nature around us to remind us of the importance and fragility of life.

 

“By protecting Wadi Wurayah, we are putting this landscape and the life in it, into a global trust for future generations. It will help teach the world’s children that real life is not mediated, but accessible, awe-inspiring and real.”

 

The Park was closed at the conclusion of the ceremony to prepare the park and properly protect the safety of visitors and wildlife. Public safety is a significant concern inside the park because of the lack of visitor facilities. Appropriate infrastructure will be established to ensure a rewarding public experience and protect the environmentally sensitive areas inside the park.