The Desert Park of the Environment and Natural Reserves in Sharjah has seen a significant rise in visitors this year so far — attracting more than 100,000 people through its gates. The park is turning into a major environmental hub in the emirate, and on Sunday, a senior official said the 17 per cent increase in visitors from all nationalities, ages and genders was registered in the first half of 2013 as compared to the same in 2012. Chairman of the Environment and Natural Reserves in Sharjah Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, said as many as 105,000 people visited the park over the period from January 1 to June 30, 2013. \"These are compared to 89,000 visitors in the first half of last year.” During the Eid Al Fitr holidays, 4,308 people visited the park. \"The park is definitely one of the most popular and highly recommended attractions in the UAE,” Al Suwaidi said. Source: Khaleej Times