Lifting the CITES sanction on the UAE, creating environmental protected areas, marine protection programmes and introducing ecological studies in schools, are just a few of the countless achievements of the Environ-mental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA) since its inception in 1996.
It is one of the few international organisations that have crossed borders to influence other international networks with their successful initiatives.
Established under a law issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in 1996 to be the environmental authority for Abu Dhabi emirate, ERWDA has now become a nationwide and international organisation with its deep involvement in ecological policy-making on the federal level as well.
It was set up by Sheikh Khalifa, with himself as the chairman, to assist the Abu Dhabi government in the conservation and management of the emirate's natural environment, resources, wildlife and biological diversity.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chairman of ERWDA, has attributed all the achievements to the wise guidance of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the support of Sheikh Khalifa.
"It was always among the country's top priorities to maintain a balance between development and ecology and guarantee the right of the coming generations to a clean, healthy and safe environment," he noted.
He said environmental issues have always been given the topmost priority in government policies since the establishment of the UAE federation in 1971.
Referring to achievements in wildlife programmes, Sheikh Hamdan said the agency's National Avian Research Centre (NARC) has successfully expanded its activities to play a bigger role in preserving and developing wildlife, especially houbara and falcons.
Wildlife conservation
The centre continued to track wild houbara and falcon through satellite transmitters, most of which were first captured on the centre's study sites in north-west China.
Sheikh Hamdan said that around 500 houbara, confiscated by UAE Customs Officials, were rehabilitated at the agency's quarantine centre. These birds were used for breeding in captivity and some of them were released to the wild.
The agency, under Sheikh Zayed's Houbara and Falcon Release Programme, has been working with wildlife agencies in several Central Asian countries, Pakistan China and Oman. The programme has gained international recognition and praise.
The agency has become not only the emirate's but 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.
Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Managing Director of the agency, said Environmental Strategy and Actions Plans for Abu Dhabi was developed by ERWDA in December 1999 to identify and address the environmental needs from 2003 to 2007 and has progressed noticeably.
"A number of research programmes, which matched the goals of the emirate's Environ-mental Strategy and Action Plans, aiming to protect the natural environment, wildlife and biological diversity of Abu Dhabi, were also implemented," he added.
The agency, according to Al Bowardi, also managed to complete a fish survey programme, analysing length and frequency data of five commercially exploited species.
Elaborating on other projects, Al Bowardi said: "To support the UAE government's intensive efforts to conserve the Arabian Oryx, ERWDA worked closely with other agencies in the UAE and regional countries.
"These efforts resulted in the establishment of a Coordinating Committee for the Conservation of the Arabian Oryx to promote co-operation and exchange experiences across the Arabian Peninsula, where the UAE was named as the General Secretariat for the Committee."
Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the agency, commenting on the agency's progress, said one of the key areas of success for the agency has been its working with schools and raising environmental awareness among students.
Al Mansouri said that over the last few years, ERWDA has successfully carried out many environmental campaigns that serve its strategic goals and establish long-term cooperation with the different sectors.
"In the area of enhancing environmental awareness among students, ERWDA, along with its partners in the Abu Dhabi Educational Zone, realises the importance of environmental clubs and their vital role in spreading awareness by making science simpler and more fun for students," he said.
Curriculum
"ERWDA has faith in the sincerity of many teachers who are willing to make their students more environmentally aware, and holds them primarily responsible for the success of these environmental clubs," he added.
According to the agency officials, over the last few years the agency has seen tremendous achievements that have gained reputation and recognition for the country in environmental fields.
ERWDA was the key instrument to help lift a sanction on the country imposed by CITES.The Geneva-based Secretariat of Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) last year lifted its trade sanction on UAE.
CITES debarred UAE, a signatory of the convention, from trading in endangered species with its 155 other members due to lack of enforcing CITES conditions.
The lack of efforts to combat trade in CITES-listed endangered wildlife species led to the suspension of UAE from its partnership in convention in November 2001.
It was the initiatives from ERWDA, such as intensifying its efforts to confiscate endangered wildlife species and prevent their being smuggled into the country and the introduction of the Falcon Passport, that has led to the lifting of the sanctions.
The other achievements include introduction of environmental studies in government schools.
Both ERWDA and the Federal Environmental Agency (FEA) have teamed up with the Ministry of Education and Youth to introduce the ecological studies at public schools.
The initiative, according to ERWDA, has been taken under the directive and patronage of Sheikh Hamdan.
The two environmental agencies have already started the project with the ministry to make environmental issues an integral part of the government school curriculum in a structured and systematic manner.
Fisheries research
In February, the Worldwide Fund for Nature International (WWF) announced its recognition of the UAE's Qarnein Island as a Gift to the Earth.
The recognition came following ERWDA efforts to designate Qarnein and the country's unique ecosystem as a Marine Protected Area, the first internationally-recognised reserve of its type in the Arabian Gulf.
In a bid to play its role in the management of fisheries in Abu Dhabi, ERWDA also implemented a fisheries research and data collection programme.
The programme has been carried out in order to set policy and manage fisheries to help minimise economic efficiency in the exploitation of these resources and ensure their conservation by gathering information on fish resources, fishing operations, infrastructure and community and individuals involved in the fisheries sector.
The other marine projects include turtle and dugong protection programmes, which are being implemented successfully.
The agency's Terrestrial Environ-ment Centre has been involved in soil and water studies in addition to developing protected areas.
Its National Avian Research Centre manages Falcon Hospital and is also managing avian breeding and research programmes.
To help get the government to implement its emiratisation programme, the agency has trained and recruited a huge number of young UAE national employees.
Governing board
His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (Chairman)
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Chairman)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region Chairman of Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning (Member)
Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Madfa, Minister of Health (Member)
Yousef Omeir bin Yousef, Secretary General of the Supreme Petroleum Council, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (Member)
Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi (Managing Director)
Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh (Member)
Majid Al Mansouri (Secretary General)
Gulf NewsProjects: - Abu Dhabi Environmental Strategy and Action Plans- Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative- Marine Programmes- Terrestrial Programmes- Wildlife Programmes- Environmental Protection Programmes and Activities- Environmental Education and Awareness Programmes- Exhibition and Conference- Publications and Research- Collaboration with Local and International Organisations- Eco-oriented sports activities and competitionsSubsidiaries:The agency's programmes and projects function through a number of centres and units. They are- Marine Environment Research Centre- National Avian Research Centre- Terrestrial Environment Research Centre- Environmental Services- Communication and Education- Information Technology Department- Protected Areas- Human Resources Department- Finance and Administration Department
