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15h ago

Abu Dhabi Orders Major Expansion of Protected Areas in New Conservation Push

The move adds new terrestrial and marine sites to the Zayed network under EAD management to advance UAE biodiversity targets.

UAE President directs Abu Dhabi to expand protected areas to 20% of its land, adding new reserves to boost biodiversity and sustainability
Al Wathba Fossil Dunes. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Overview

  • President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed directed the expansion on October 15 as the IUCN World Conservation Congress concluded in Abu Dhabi.
  • The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi will manage the additions within the Zayed Protected Areas Network.
  • New designations include Al Wathba Fossil Dunes, Liwa Groundwater Reservoir and Ghaf natural reserves, an expanded Qasr Al Sarab reserve, two new marine reserves at Abu Al Abyad and Sir Bani Yas and Desert Islands, and an expanded Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve.
  • The newly designated areas cover roughly 4,581–4,600 square kilometres, bringing the total protected area to about 22,821–nearly 23,000 square kilometres.
  • Initial reports differ on the share of the emirate protected and the total reserve count, with some citing 20% and 26 reserves and others about one-third and 24, pending clarification.