Abu Dhabi: That safeguarding the environment for posterity should be the responsibility of every individual was a core belief of the UAE’s founding father, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. At the same time, his stellar efforts and principles in environmental conservation have transformed into a mission statement that has guided the UAE on to a glorious path of becoming a significant force for sustainability issues on the global centre stage.

From his early days, Shaikh Zayed had an abiding conviction about ‘sustainable development’, which meant improving people’s lives under the broader spectrum of the environment they lived in.

With the discovery of oil and the subsequent changes taking place in society in the UAE, Shaikh Zayed realised that such changes would pose a threat to wildlife. A federal law was passed which outlawed hunting in the country.

Additionally, the Higher Environmental Council (HEC), later named Federal Environmental Agency (FEA), was established in 1993 with the sole purpose of preserving the country’s flora and fauna with an initial budget of more than Dh6 million.

Besides the FEA, there were also a number of organisations, both government and voluntary, established for the conservation of the environment.

They included the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA) with a role to support and advance sustainable development in Abu Dhabi; the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), a voluntary, non-profit organisation; Marine Environmental Research Centre (MERC); the National Avian Research Centre (NARC); and the Terrestrial Environmental Research Centre (TERC), which provides scientific information on environmental issues to the government.

Additionally, a sanctuary for endangered species, including the Arabian oryx and gazelle, was set up on the island of Sir Bani Yas where deer, hedgehog, llama and other wildlife species were also bred as part of the ongoing conservation programme on the island. Shaikh Zayed also sponsored the Chair of Environment Sciences (set up in his name) at the Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain.

In his statement at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (1992), Shaikh Zayed had said: “Right from its early days, the UAE has considered environmental protection as a major objective of its development policies. The country worked under tiring and harsh natural conditions to halt the onslaught of desertification while concentrating on the expansion of its green areas. Simultaneously, work on the development of water resources was also carried on besides the protection of water from pollution and the conservation of fisheries and livestock.”

In appreciation of his dedicated role in the conservation of the environment and wildlife, Shaikh Zayed has been honoured on a number of occasions.

In 2003, Shaikh Zayed endorsed an agreement with the other GCC countries to pool regional efforts and chalk out joint programmes to protect the local wildlife, and restore balance to the damaged ecological system.

Awards Zayed received

1995: Shaikh Zayed was awarded a golden medal from FAO for contributions to agricultural development in the UAE and other parts of the world.

1997: Awarded the Golden Panda by the World Wildlife Fund, the first award for a world leader by the fund, for his efforts to protect wildlife.

2001: World Food Programme bestowed on him the World Food Day medal for his work to help the needy around the world.

2002: Shaikh Zayed honoured by the UNDP for his work to protect the environment and encourage conservation.

Shaikh Zayed awarded permanent membership in the British Royal Horticultural Society by Queen Elizabeth II for his efforts to turn the desert of the UAE into a blanket of green.

Quote

“We in the UAE, where desert forms 75 per cent of the total area, have been able to cohabit with this environment and to adapt ourselves with the limited resources for many years. Although numerous experts have assured us of the impossible task of establishing successful agricultural projects in these circumstances, we are determined to accept this challenge and go through this experience as we are confident that God will crown our efforts with success.”

Shaikh Zayed’s statement at the inaugural address to the second Asian ministerial conference on UN Convention to Combat Desertification in 2003.

Timeline

Conservation of the environment was a major mission in Shaikh Zayed’s life. His approach to environmental issues, right from his early days, found its roots in the philosophy of ‘sustainable development’, which meant improving people’s lives under the broader spectrum of the environment they lived in.

The country has made good progress in turning more areas green by conquering difficult climatic conditions. The greenery plan adopted by the UAE has resulted in the planting of palm trees and increasing the number of public parks and gardens nationwide.

1970

Established an agriculture experimental station in Al Ain.

1973

Visited Delma Island to establish agricultural projects.

1974

Visited Sila to establish agricultural projects.

1975

Under his directives, the number of farms in Al Ain rose up to 319.

1977

Banned fishing in Abu Dhabi to counter over-exploitation.

1977

Ordered Al Ain Zoo to begin breeding programmes for the Asian Houbara Bustard with the aim to breed 10,000 annually and release them into the wild.

1983

Ordered the planting of forest trees such as the lotus jujube, Salm, Samar and Al Ghaf. The trees now number more than 5 million.

1984

125 farms were established and distributed to UAE nationals.

1985

Ordered public parks to be introduced along Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. A total area of 53km was grown with palm trees.

1992

Received a Japanese delegation to conduct a comprehensive survey for developing water resources and utilising them in agricultural expansion.

1993

The Federal Environment Agency was established to oversee environmental issues at the federal level.

1995

Shaikh Zayed’s Falcon Release Programme launched. The Houbara and Falcon Release Programme has been working with wildlife agencies in several Central Asian countries, Pakistan, China and Oman.

1996

The Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA) established. The agency has become the country’s primary centre for information, coordinated scientific research and application, promotion of environmental awareness and policy guidance and enforcement regarding conservation and management of environment, resources, wildlife and biological diversity.

1997

All farmers in Al Ain asked to grow 400 palm trees, each.

1998

UAE marked its first National Environment Day.

1999

Federal Environmental Protection law issued, outlining the legislative aspects for protecting the environment.

2000

The total area of planted forests amounted to around 300,000 hectares where the number of trees reached 600,000.

Lebanon honoured Shaikh Zayed as the environmental personality of the year.

2002

Under his orders, several environmental conservation initiatives were launched, including the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (ADGEI), which was designed to collect relevant environmental data at home and abroad.

2003

UN Agreement for Desertification Combating Conference was held in Abu Dhabi.

The Worldwide Fund for Nature International (WWF) announced its recognition of the UAE’s Qarnein Island as a Gift to the Earth.

2004

He issued a federal decree whereby the UAE joined the International Treaty on plant gene resources.

The UAE also joined the Arab Water Council in Cairo, which is concerned with conservation and protection of Arab water resources against waste.

Compiled by Gulf News Archives