UAE-DESERTIFICATION: Control policy proves successful

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Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, May 16 2003 (IPS) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) desertification control and land reclamation policies have proven to have yielded fruit with the plantation of thousands of hectares of palm trees, woodlands and green belts, according to a recent report by the Abu Dhabi Municipality.

– The UAE’s efforts in this regard are one of the most successful experiences in the Arab and Gulf region in particular and at the global level in general," the report, issued by Abu Dhabi Municipality’s Forestry Section said.

The most important advantage of the desertification control policy, the report adds, is the transformation of the desert from a once repulsive barren land into an area that has much appeal for inhabitants to live in.

"The nomadic and unsettled lifestyle of people has changed into a settled one with the economic, health, social and educational patterns also changing accordingly," the report notes.

It draws attention to the fact that the strategy of growing forests in vast areas of land in the heart of the desert has provided habitat for man, flora and fauna, especially the once endangered wild animals such as rabbits, foxes and gazelles, which have considerably proliferated.

New species of gazelle, namely the white deer and the Arabian Oryx, and other wild birds, such as falcons, doves and sparrows have been introduced, the report maintains. Laws barring hunting and shooting of animals and birds have been enacted in a bid to save these species from extinction.

The Forestry section, the report says, is currently engaged in several projects such as Abu Dhabi-Zayed City highway, Ghayathy-Bida’a Zayed road and afforestation of the 140 km-long Hamim-Abu Dhabi road.

The Municipality’s Forestry section is busy fencing 200 kilometers of land to be used as sanctuaries in the Western region. This is over and above the 51 already existing natural reserves in the region, the report emphasizes.

The Abu Dhabi Municipality, the report points out, has been successful in planting several forests in the Emirate such as the 1500-hectare forest in Liwa and another 90-hectare one in Shamkhah. The aim of planting these forests and green belts, the report stresses, is to hold back desertification, improve environment and preserve endangered flora and fauna.

Researches are being conducted to introduce new species of trees following the successful introduction of the jojoba tree in the region, the report points.