President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has 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.
A Presidential Federal decree published in the official gazette ratified the "Agreement for Preserving the Wildlife and Natural Habitats in the GCC", which will be enforced three months after it is formally approved by at least four member states.
Official sources said the UAE was the first GCC member to join that protocol to illustrate Sheikh Zayed's concern about the environment and his interest in resurrecting the Arabian wildlife that has sharply eroded over the past three decades because of massive hunting, and development programmes following the discovery of oil.
The agreement includes stronger cooperation among GCC members in environment and wildlife protection and preservation, and joint programmes and legislations in this field.
It gives priority to protection and breeding of endangered species by enacting stiffer penalties against poachers and setting up more reserves and breeding centres.
The 13-article agreement says: "This joint effort stems from the GCC countries' belief in the common destiny and their keenness to achieve full cooperation and coordination in all fields.
"It also reflects their recognition that the wildlife, in all its forms, constitutes the main factor in rural development and prosperity and in realising sustainable development in the long term. It also acknowledges its great cultural significance to the Arab nation."
It did not specify the endangered species but experts have identified scores of animals and birds that are on the verge of extinction in the Arabian Peninsula. They include the Oryx, Arabian Leopard, Striped Hyena, Arabian Wolf, Sand fox, Arabian Red fox, Caracal, Sandcat, Arabian Wild cat, Sand gazelle, Arabian Mountain Gazelle and Arabian Tahr.
One of the most endangered animals is the Arabian Oryx, which could have vanished without massive protection and breeding programmes pioneered by Sheikh Zayed.
Experts said breeding programmes began more than 30 years ago and involved a handful of Oryx captured alive in the UAE. Along with neighbouring Oman, the UAE now has a large herd of Arabian Oryx in several reserves and other protected areas.
According to a Western wildlife report on the UAE, the Arabian Oryx, scientifically known as Oryx Leucoryx, once roamed the whole of Arabia before it became extinct in early 1960s.
"However, President Sheikh Zayed had a few captive animals that bred well and today there are several herds at various locations in the emirates," the report said.
Sheikh Zayed's other protection programmes include the Arabian gazelle, hundreds of which are now herded in a massive reserve near Liwa. Scores of other endangered species also live on Sir Bani Yas Island, the biggest wildlife reserve in the region.
Gulf News 2003
