UAE President Sheikh Mohamed orders 20% of Abu Dhabi’s land to be designated as nature reserves | World News - The Times of India

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered enlargement of protected pure areas in Abu Dhabi. Picture: Reserving.com

In a serious step towards environmental preservation, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered a major enlargement of protected pure areas in Abu Dhabi. The emirate will now designate 20% of its land as nature reserves, including new zones and lengthening current ones. The transfer aligns with the UAE’s internet hosting of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 and underscores the nation’s rising management in world sustainability efforts.

Enlargement overview – A serious improve in protected lands

As per the directive issued by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the overall space of nature reserves in Abu Dhabi will now cowl 20% of the emirate’s landmass, up from earlier allocations. This enlargement provides 4,581 sq. kilometres of newly designated protected areas to the prevailing community.These areas will fall underneath the administration of the Setting Company – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and can be formally included into the Zayed Protected Areas Community. This community beforehand consisted of 13 terrestrial and 6 marine reserves. With the most recent additions, the overall variety of protected areas rises to 26, spanning a mixed space of twenty-two,821 sq. kilometres.

New and expanded reserves – Particulars of the additions

The reserve enlargement consists of the creation of 5 new protected zones and the enlargement of two current ones, overlaying each land and marine ecosystems.New Terrestrial Reserves:

Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve – A website of distinctive geological formations.Liwa Groundwater Reservoir Reserve – Targeted on preserving underground freshwater sources.Ghaf Pure Reserve – Goals to guard the native Ghaf tree ecosystem.

New Marine Reserves:

Abu Al Abyad Marine Reserve – A brand new coastal safety space.Sir Bani Yas and Desert Islands Marine Reserve – Expands marine biodiversity safety across the fashionable eco-tourism area.

Expanded Reserves:

Qasr Al Sarab Reserve – Terrestrial space now enlarged to assist broader habitat safety.Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve – Marine zone prolonged for enhanced conservation protection.

Timing and significance – Aligned with a landmark world occasionThe announcement coincides with the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, which was held for the primary time within the area from 9 to fifteen October 2025 on the ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi. The occasion is collectively organised by:

Ministry of Local weather Change and EnvironmentEnvironment Company – Abu DhabiInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Internet hosting this congress marks a historic second for the UAE, inserting it on the centre of worldwide environmental dialogue and motion.

Nationwide imaginative and prescient and management – Reinforcing UAE’s world environmental function

Senior Emirati officers have framed the enlargement as a mirrored image of the UAE’s strategic dedication to conservation.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Consultant in Al Dhafra Area and Chairman of the EAD Board, famous the initiative’s alignment with the long-standing imaginative and prescient of environmental stewardship, established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He emphasised that the expanded community will safeguard biodiversity and assist Abu Dhabi’s status as a worldwide chief in environmental sustainability.Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Vice Chairman of the EAD, underlined the significance of defending wildlife and enabling modern conservation programmes. He acknowledged that the transfer ensures the long-term sustainability of the emirate’s pure ecosystems.Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary Normal of the EAD, described the enlargement as a “transformative milestone” in Abu Dhabi’s environmental journey. She highlighted its alignment with the World Biodiversity Framework 2030, particularly the 30×30 initiative, which targets the safety of 30% of land and sea areas globally by 2030.

Strategic alignment – Supporting the nationwide biodiversity technique 2031

The reserve enlargement helps the objectives of the Nationwide Biodiversity Technique 2031, a framework that integrates nature conservation with local weather motion. In response to the EAD, the technique is structured round six key pillars, together with:

Safety and monitoring of important biodiversity areas.Rehabilitation of broken land and marine ecosystems.Resilience-building in biodiversity techniques towards local weather change and catastrophe dangers.

The technique represents a holistic method to making sure long-term environmental well being, sustainability, and resilience within the UAE.

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