The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, EAD, and Total E & P UAE signed an agreement to further develop Al Wathba Wetland Reserve and turn this globally recognised site into a national and regional hotspot for education and ecotourism and model of responsible tourism.

The agreement was signed on Monday by Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary-General of EAD, and Hatem Nusseibeh, President of TOTAL E&P UAE.

As part of this agreement, EAD, with TOTAL’s support, will implement the reserve’s enhancement plan that aims to support the rehabilitation programme for natural habitats within the reserve. In addition, it also aims to continue the ongoing scientific research in the reserve that contribute to the global scientific knowledge on wetland ecology, biology of breeding resident and migratory birds of the UAE, including the flagship species, such as the Greater Flamingo.

The enhancement plan, which is scheduled to be completed within three years, will include accessibilities for people with special needs and the elderly, to facilitate their visit to the reserve. It will also include construction of more bird hide facilities near water bodies and building the capacity of the reserve’s rangers for effective monitoring and conservation.

Razan Al Mubarak said, "We are proud to strengthen our partnership with TOTAL which commenced in 1999 and has helped us to conduct detailed studies on local species such as dugong and turtles to aid us in taking effective measures to preserve the environment and biodiversity of the Emirate."

"Signing this agreement with TOTAL, will support EAD in its endeavour to develop Al Wathba Wetland Reserve and turn it into one of the key eco-reserve sites in the emirate to offer it’s visitors a unique opportunity to connect directly with nature," she added.

Al Mubarak went on to say that, "EAD is continuously working to enhance Al Wathba Wetland Reserve as an excellent ecotourism destination. We have recently learned that Al Wathba reserve occupied first place nationally for the third year in a row for the effectiveness of protected area management."

Since 2014, stakeholders in the UAE have been using the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool, METT, a tool developed by the World Wide Fund for Nature, WWF, for tracking and monitoring the progress in achieving the objectives of protected areas which is a key element in the development of these areas, she explained.

Commenting on the signing, Hatem Nusebeh said, "Our partnership with EAD is our commitment to the communities we work with and a contribution to those areas where our impact corresponds to the environment where we conduct our activities. We are proud to be part of this project."

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector, said, "The reserve supports a rich array of wildlife and many globally and locally threatened wetland species. Since 2011, flamingos have regularly bred in Al Wathba, making it the only site in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf where this species regularly breeds. In total, the site counts over 250 migratory and resident birds, 11 mammals, 10 reptiles and over 35 plant species."

Dr. Al Dhaheri went on to say that the reserve was opened to the public for the first time in 2014 as part of EAD’s Eco-reserve programme to educate the local community and provide nature lovers with a welcome channel to get close to wildlife."Since then EAD has made significant developments to build an interactive and friendly atmosphere of the reserve and give the visitors the opportunity to reconnect with the natural heritage that exists within the emirate."

The reserve, which has been closed since May - due to the breeding season of flamingos and high temperatures - was reopened to the public on 14th October 14 in time for the cooler season.