'The Lagoons' spearheads efforts to preserve UAE wetlands

The environmental experts will be visiting Dubai June 4-6 as part of a joint effort mission to assess and evaluate the candidature of Ras Al Khor Wildlife sanctuary (RAKWS) as a Ramsar site.

The environmental experts will be in Dubai to assist in preparations for the designation of Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary as an official Ramsar site. In conjunction with Dubai Municipality's Environment Department and relevant authorities and stakeholders, 'The Lagoons' is helping drive efforts to recognize and preserve the ecological functions of wetlands in the UAE and their environmental, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.

'The Lagoons' location near the heart of Dubai is witnessing a magnificent transformation through the creation of a series of enhanced waterways and delightful buffer islands. The existing Dubai Creek will be extended and reconnected to the Arabian Sea, creating an inland loop with two inlets, which will allow extensive flushing of the entire Creek and greatly improve its water quality. This flushing will also benefit the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, improving the existing water quality significantly in this important conservation area.

During their visit, the environmental experts will meet with UAE national government authorities responsible for international environment conventions to discuss the accession of UAE to the international Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands that aims to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future.

Farhan Faraidooni, CEO of Sama Dubai, the company behind 'The Lagoons' development, said:

"As an active member of the community, Sama Dubai strives to ensure that it contributes to the wellbeing of the UAE, and all other countries in which it operates. It is with this ideal in mind that we have endeavored to ensure 'The Lagoon's' environmental excellence is a cornerstone of the development."

'The Lagoons' is a freehold, mixed-use project being developed by Sama Dubai in an area adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, where bird watching is world class. Protection of the environment is a key component of the development, which will have a plethora of parks and green belts and will feature reduced density housing and reduced building heights in the ecologically sensitive buffer zone.

"It is in a collaborative spirit that Sama Dubai supports the UAE's efforts to become a signatory to Ramsar. We are actively backing the enlistment of 'The Lagoon's' close neighbor, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, as the UAE's first site on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, and will continue to ensure that both sites remain mutually beneficial neighbors," added Faraidooni.

'The Lagoons' is one of the first projects in Dubai to undertake a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which is integrated with Dubai Health Care City Phase II, the creek extension, as well as the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary (RAKWS). Consultation with different authorities and stakeholders has been ongoing including the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Federal Environmental Agency, Wildlife Protection Office (WPO) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Environmental management plans are being developed to ensure that during the construction and operational phases, impacts to the environment are mitigated.

Dr. Peter Bridgewater, Secretary General of Ramsar Convention Secretariat, said: "We appreciate and recognize all efforts being given to ensure that the biodiversity of Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is managed and conserved for the benefit of future generations. The Ramsar Secretariat applauds efforts by organizations, government bodies, as well as private companies and institutions that are supporting this effort as we collectively explore ways to protect and enhance the UAE's wildlife sanctuaries. We hope that following our mission the UAE will move to accede to the Ramsar Convention, to place the UAE and Dubai alongside global efforts to conserve and wisely use wetlands."

The Ramsar team will be headed by Dr. Peter Bridgewater, Secretary General of Ramsar Convention Secretariat, who will visit Dubai Municipality on 4-5 June 2006. During their trip they will visit the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary to conduct an initial rapid assessment of its application for Ramsar site status, as well reviewing evaluation reports presented by relevant stakeholders from the UAE.

'The Lagoons' offers its future residents the pleasures of nature including the enjoyment of living alongside the diverse bird life, flora and fauna in a development that has been designed and constructed to be in harmony with the surrounding ecosystems.