Dubai Municipality to attend international conference on wetlands

The convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 158 contracting Parties to the convention, with 1782 wetland sites, totaling 161 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

The UAE's sole Ramsar-approved wetland is the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. The Ras Al Khor sanctuary, which represents regionally significant important biodiversity areas and support high species concentration and diverse ecosystems is the first wildlife Sanctuary in the Emirate of Dubai. Covering a 6.2 sq km-area surrounded by a buffer zone, the Sanctuary holds approximately 266 species of fauna and 47 species of flora. The existence of various ecosystems within RAKWS - mangroves, mudflats, lagoons, sabkhas, reed beds and shrub lands - contributes to rich biological diversity; as these support a variety of plants, insects, mollusks, fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals. The majestic Flamingoes in the background of lush green mangroves are most visible and attractive natural features of RAKS.

It supports a rich invertebrate fauna, mainly consisting of polychaete worms, mollusks, and brachyuran crabs. The RAKS is also the central attraction for bird watching and nature tourism in UAE.

Currently, the Environment Department is planning an extensive media campaign to promote public awareness about the sanctuary.