In commemoration of the World Environment Day, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, Emirates Wildlife Society - World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF) and Fujairah Municipality, announced an environmental partnership aimed at the conservation of Wadi Wurayah natural habitat in the Emirate of Fujairah, UAE.
The Wadi Wurayah three-year conservation project began in 2005 with a goal to work with the Fujairah Municipality and the Government of Fujairah to create and manage a mountain protected area and establish a team of mountain conservation rangers from the local tribes. This would make Wadi Wurayah the first legally designated mountain protected area in the country.
The project consists of three phases, each being accomplished within a year. The first phase involved a baseline survey to evaluate the potential and feasibility of the creation of a protected area from ecological, cultural and political perspective. The second phase involves the development of conservation management plan for Wadi Wurayah while continuing to monitor biodiversity. During the third phase, rangers from the local tribes will be resourced and trained to ensure the sustainability of the conservation programme. All phases will and are implemented in partnership with the Fujairah Municipality.
Mohammed Al Mulla, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Abu Dhabi and Chairman of HSBC in the Community Middle East Foundation, said: "HSBC has a longstanding commitment to the environment and a track record of successful environmental initiatives stretching back for several years. This commitment is at the core of our corporate responsibility values and we are pleased to support the conservation of the Wadi Wurayah project."
"This support also involves our staff, for they play an instrumental role in making the project a success, along with our partners. Through their continuous engagement and voluntary work in Wadi Wurayah, I am sure they will learn a lot about conserving the natural heritage of the UAE." Mohamed Al Mulla also added.
H. E. Eng. Rashed Hamdan Abdulla, General Manager of Fujairah Municipality, said "By the establishment of the wildlife protected area, Fujairah Municipality aims to protect the wildlife, enhancing awareness of the Wadi Wurayah and the need for individuals to contribute to its protection."
Eng. Rashed also added: "Fujairah Municipality aims to merge the heritage in harmony with the local life style and provide the mechanism of economic development to the area, as well as the preservation of Wadi Wurayah's rich biodiversity and natural resources."
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Director, EWS-WWF said: "HSBC and EWS-WWF share the same vision when it comes to protecting and conserving the environment. Through HSBC's support, researchers so far have been able to conduct analysis of water samples, characterize aquatic habitats, record all the flora and fauna sightings and interview over 150 local villagers in a social survey. We are pleased to say that seven new and previously unknown species have been discovered, indicating the importance and uniqueness of the area's biodiversity."
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HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
HSBC is the largest and most widely represented international bank in the Middle East. HSBC Bank Middle East Limited has 34 branches throughout the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Autonomous Area, including an offshore banking unit in Bahrain. This extensive regional coverage is strengthened by another member of the HSBC Group HSBC Bank Egypt SAE, and by its associated companies, The Saudi British Bank and British Arab Commercial Bank Limited. In addition to its Middle Eastern network, the Bank has a representative office in Tehran, Iran.
HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited has been a principal member of the HSBC Group since 1959. Serving over 125 million customers worldwide, the HSBC Group has some 9,500 offices in 76 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.
With assets of US$1,738 billion at 30 June 2006, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.
Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) in association with WWF
EWS is a national (UAE) environmental NGO established in February 2001. EWS works at the federal level and aims to promote the conservation of nature in the UAE. To achieve its goals, EWS works in association with WWF, one of the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries.
Media enquiries
Azza Al Amri,
Corporate Responsibility Manager,
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited,
tel 04 3906636
e-mail: azzaalamri@hsbc.com
Press Release 2007
