‘Go Wild’: It’s about ‘exotic and endangered’

RITIKA SHARMA / Emirates Business

It is June 5 again. Not a regular summer day at all. Today, with hundreds of events everywhere from Indian mountains to Spain’s race course, World Environment Day (WED) 2016 is commemorating a day of rich diversity, while stressing upon the need to protect it from threats ranging from wildlife crime to pollution.
This year’s theme for WED – ‘Go Wild for Life’ – is encouraging people to celebrate all those species under threat and take actions on personal levels to help safeguard them for future generations.
Just as the world is doing its bit today, UAE, with an unwavering commitment towards its biodiversity and natural heritage, is leading the movement in this region.
Marina Antonopoulou, Marine Programme Leader at Emirates Wildlife Society –World Wildlife Fund (EWS-WWF) told Emirates Business, “While we have enjoyed the coast and seas in UAE, we have also taken it for granted. Over 40 percent of the UAE’s coastline has been modified or developed and increased coastal activities, when not properly planned, can lead to unsustainable coastal development.”
“This has had a detrimental impact on critical marine species and habitats. There is the need, and also a great opportunity, for the government and the tourism industry in the UAE to promote and operate responsible practices to support a healthy marine environment,” pointed out Antonopoulou.
EWS-WWF’s Gulf Green Turtle Project aims to conserve endangered species and critical habitats in the UAE and raise awareness about how conservation of turtles and their habitats can benefit the wider environment, UAE society and economy.
Additionally, the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), has committed themselves to advancing their cooperation to conserve migratory species of wild animals.
Reportedly, AED21.3 million grants from Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund is going to support eight projects to conserve the endangered species of dugong.
The above is the testimony to the fact that UAE is playing an important role in wildlife conservation along with its march towards a green-economy and in line with the theme of WED this year.