His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al-Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved the development of a number of national reserves in the emirate as part of its environment and tourism objectives. The initiative will help drive Sharjah’s research, education and entertainment sectors.
The Ruler’s directive came as part of his commitment to conserving and developingenvironmentallyprotected areas for the benefit of future generations.
The announcements came as an outcome of a meeting chaired by His Highness with senior representatives ofthe Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA).
The meeting was attended by Her Excellency SheikhaBodourBint Sultan Al-Qassimi, Chairperson of Shurooq, HisExcellency Salah Bin Butti Al-Muhairi, Chairman, Directorate of Town Planning and Survey, HerExcellency Hana Saif Al-Suwaidi, General Manager of EPAA, His Excellency Marwan Al-Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq, as well as a number ofenvironmental specialists.
During the meeting, a number of development projects in Sharjah related to environmental reserves werebrought under review. His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan approved the Kalba reserve, one of the largestenvironment and tourism projects in the UAE, which is home toAl-Qarm trees and the historic Al-Ghail Fort.
This reserve will be developed as a collaborative effort between EPAA and Shurooq. The development of the projects will be launched in a phased-out manner.
The Kalba reserve is a unique and integrated environmental projectencompassing a variety of flora and fauna, including wetlands(mangroveforests), environment plains(Al Ghail valley), as well asmountain and marine landscape.The importance of KhorKalba nature reserve falls under the priorities of Sharjah’s strategic approach towards maintaining the environmental, social, and tourism distinction that the reserve is reputed for and as an important pillar in the strategic plans of EPAA.
As part of the development plans, the Kalba reserve will house rare wildlife such as Gazelle Al-Jebel, Al-Tuhr Al-Arabi, Al-Maha Al-Arabi and Reem Gazelle that will be released from the breeding centre of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA). It will also ensure the conservation of endangered species of birds such as herons and halcyon white that hatches only in Kalba. This is in addition to the rare Al Shadi bird and the green turtles that lay their eggs on the shore of the nature reserve.Moreover, the reserve is home to different breeds of marine life including rare birds and crabs that burrow quarries to protect themselves from gulls.
The Kalba reserve will particularly ensure the growth of Acacia trees. Centres of research and development will be also set up at the reserve.
Furthermore, during the meeting, His Highness theRuler of Sharjah endorsed the Wasit Nature Reserve in Sharjah, where a global learning institute will be established. This institute will encompass various types of birds, rare in the Arabian Peninsula. The park will also include distinctive areas for visitors to enjoy the appeal of the reserve.This project, which was established in 2005, will hold the status of a global environmental destinationand is currently in the process of being registered as a nature reserve within the range of wetlands.
