HH the Ruler of Sharjah Unveils Historic Initiatives...

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has announced that Sharjah is working on a number of initiatives that are aimed at conserving the environment and rich animal and plant diversity of the UAE and the Arab world. One of these groundbreaking projects includes Al Hafia Protected Area which is set to open within two weeks in the Emirate. He noted that Al Hafia project is important for preserving the freedom of animals and creating education environment for the people.

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has announced that Sharjah is working on a number of initiatives that are aimed at conserving the environment and rich animal and plant diversity of the UAE and the Arab world. One of these groundbreaking projects includes Al Hafia Protected Area which is set to open within two weeks in the Emirate. He noted that Al Hafia project is important for preserving the freedom of animals and creating education environment for the people.

HH the Ruler of Sharjah was speaking today (Tuesday, February 9) at the 17th Annual International Conservation Workshop for Arabia's Biodiversity, which opened on Monday and is being hosted by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) at the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife in Sharjah.

Addressing the environmental and conservation experts, he expressed his anguish over the immense loss that the region has suffered because of reckless abuse of natural resources, smuggling and conflicts. HH the Ruler of Sharjah said the UAE has strict laws and procedures to protect animals and natural resources and that Sharjah has taken steps to stop all import of protected animals in cages through the Sharjah International Airport.

HH the Ruler of Sharjah talked about his own experience of conserving rare species of plants and seeds over the past 25 to 30 years. He said that he has invited the Kew Gardens in London to Sharjah to work with the Emirate's authorities in conserving the rare plant species and also create a seed bank. He said that the initiative has already been successful in identifying and restoring 30 unknown plants and seven that had entirely disappeared.

Another important project that is being implemented by the Arab world is to restore animals to their natural habitat, in which Sharjah has been fully involved, he said saying conflicts like Yemen, Iraq and Syria have also destroyed their rich natural habitats and animal and plant diversity.

He called for sensitising children about the treatment of animals and educating coming generations about the importance of protecting the natural resources and animal and plant diversity. He lauded the efforts of HE Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of EPAA, and her team for their efforts on this front.

He urged the community of conservationists to join hands to protect the region's endangered animals and fast depleting natural habitats and resources.

HH the Ruler of Sharjah attended some of the seminars and lectures that were given by a group of international speakers, including David Mallon, Mike Knight and Philip Seddon, with the participation of more than 100 experts from ten different countries, representing an opportunity for discussion, exchange of ideas and highlighting latest biodiversity conservation practices.

Researchers who took part in the workshop lauded the efforts made by Sharjah and EPAA to give them an opportunity to discuss issues and recommend strategies aimed at preserving biodiversity and wildlife in the region. They valued Sharjah's role in the production of a Regional Red List assessment of all the terrestrial mammal species in the Arabian Peninsula, asserting that the challenge now lies in developing a unified and comprehensive action strategy with the participation of all experts.

HE Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the EPAA hailed the visit of HH the Ruler of Sharjah to the Workshop and praised his continuous support for the environment and wildlife in the region and the world.

Al Suwaidi confirmed that Sharjah was the first to gather experts and specialists from around the world with the aim of providing information on animals of the Arabian Peninsula for the purpose of producing a Regional Red List assessment of all the terrestrial mammal species in the Arabian Peninsula, as well as a status review of all its marine mammals, particularly those facing the danger of extinction.

The Annual International Conservation Workshop for Arabia's Biodiversity serves as a brainstorming session that aims to support international efforts and provide an opportunity for discussion and exchange of ideas on ways to maintain bio-diversity.

LINK:	http://www.sharjahmedia.ae/en/media-centre/news/9/2/2016/hh-the-ruler-...
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