Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary opens for nature viewing

Ras Al Khor is a wetland reserve renowned for attracting migratory birds in large numbers. The bird hides are a first step towards development of more elaborate visitor education facilities in the protected area. WWF UAE Project Office collaborated with Dubai Municipality's Environment Department, in setting up the facilities that were sponsored by the National Bank of Dubai.

Opportunities for experiencing a natural environment in this rapidly building-up emirate are so limited that the opening of Ras Al Khor to visitors is a boon to present and potential nature lovers. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary represents an enclave of relative wilderness amidst swirling traffic and sprawling urban infrastructure. Located just as the name in Arabic suggests - at the 'head of the creek,' it is among the few urban protected areas of the world.

Bird Watch Hides
Three bird hides have been installed at different locations and named after prominent natural features; hence the names Gurm (mangrove), Fantir (flamingo) and Al Buhaira (lagoon). Elegantly designed in the form of traditional wind towers, the hides offer panoramic views of the Sanctuary. WWF UAE has, with the generous support of National Bank of Dubai, equipped these with telescopes, binoculars, brochures and picture panels. Signboards have also been developed and installed.

Visitors are allowed to enter with permits acquired from the Environment Department, Dubai Municipality. Only 10 visitors per bird hide are permitted at a time.

How Ras Al Khor was Protected
At one time Dubai Creek was a wide, muddy intertidal area. Dredging operations of the 1970s and '80s changed its habitat. Large areas of mudflats, associated with the tidal inlet, were reclaimed with dredge spoil; and the Creek transformed into the present day waterway with an average depth of some 5 metres. Only pockets of natural habitat survived; and these were protected. Large scale mangrove plantations in the conservation area followed. In 1998, RAKWS was officially declared a protected area and placed under the management of Dubai Municipality's Environment Department (Marine Environment and Sanctuaries Unit).

And Now...
Covering 6.2 sq km and surrounded by a buffer zone, the Sanctuary has about 266 species of fauna, and 47 of flora. Its varied ecosystems support diverse plants, insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals. However, the majestic flamingos against a backdrop of dark mangroves are Ras Al Khor's most visible and attractive feature, about 1,000 of them drawing quite an interest from residents and tourists alike through the year. Migrants join resident flamingos during the winter season when 2,300 have been counted.

BirdLife International identifies the wetland as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Out of the 88 wetland bird species found here, 9 occur in internationally important numbers (over 1% of world population). Besides, Ras Al Khor is UAE's most important site for wading birds and some species of migratory duck. Also, a greater variety of raptors is found here than anywhere else in the country.

Bird numbers peak in January, when as many as 25,000 individuals of about 88 species have been recorded. These are increasing and, in the winter of 2004-05, touched 30,000.

Forever Ras Al Khor?
It has the potential of becoming UAE's first Ramsar Site i.e. Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. But this waterfowl haven faces potential threats from development all around it; and may miss achieving a globally recognised conservation status if caution is not exercised. Construction already nudges the Sanctuary's boundary but hasn't, thus far, bulldozed its way or even crept in. How long this situation will last is anybody's guess. What we do know is that conservation must be supreme priority in a legally designated nature reserve.