HSBC volunteers support clean up of Wadi Warayah in Fujairah

The Wadi Warayah campaign led by EWS-WWF is supported and funded by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited and aims to put the spot light on Wadi Wurayah's problem of littering and pollution. The campaign includes a systematic programme of prevention and cleaning of the area.

As part of the clean up activities, volunteers contributed scientific data for the above study. This data will be analyzed and shared among the partners in the project.

"As a strong supporter of sustainable development, we at HSBC Bank Middle East Limited are committed to supporting environmental initiatives. Our partnership with WWF for the long term aim of the conservation of Wadi Wuraya will contribute to the advancement of sustainable development of the UAE and we are proud to be part of this scheme. The Friday cleaning event at the wadi brought people together enabling them to change their local environment for the better,"

said Kaltham Al Koheji, Chairperson of the HSBC in the Community Middle East Foundation.

Dr. Christophe Tourenq, EWS-WWF said, "As a popular tourist spot, the Wadi Wurayah area has been deteriorating due to excessive littering, tagging and destruction of vegetation. With the help of our partners and the local community we hope to raise public awareness of the problem and help declare it as protected area. This will ensure the survival of its unique flora and fauna."

Wadi Wurayah lies within a region identified as one of the 200 priority ecoregions in the world for conservation: the Arabian Highlands and Shrublands. This ecoregion shelters a rich diversity of rare and endangered mountainous as well as freshwater habitats and species.