The centers operated by Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), collectively welcomed over 57,000 visitors during the months of July and August. All the necessary preventive measures were undertaken by all the centres, including implementation of a comprehensive disinfection and sterilization program to ensure the safety of all individuals, in light of the current exceptions circumstances created since the outbreak of COVID-19.

WasitWetland Centre welcomed around 1,000 visitors in July and 560 in the month of August. Arabia’s Wildlife Centre, on the other hand received about 5,970 visitors in July and 15,201 in August. The Kalba Bird of Prey Centre, hosted approximately 100 visitors in the month of August alone.

EPAA’s Natural History & Botanical Museum opened its doors to about 3,875 visitors in July and 8,546 visitors in August. The Buhais Geology Park welcomed 155 in July and 389 in August. The children’s farm received 3,594 visitors in July and 9,803 in August. Al Dhaid Wildlife Centre welcomed 66 visitors, 17 of them during July and 49 during August. Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre received 927 visitors. Finally the Islamic Botanical Garden welcomed 6795 visitors, 1847 of them were in July and 4948 visitors in August.

HE Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, said: “The Authority has adhered to all the required precautionary measures ensuring the safety of families, children and elderly in particular. Besides having sterilized all the facilities, all visitors have to undergo a thermal screening prior to entering any centre and will be required to practice social distancing at all times. Employees and visitors are expected to wear medical masks and protective gloves at all times.”

She added: “EPAA is one of the most sought after tourist destination for adults and children alike. Over the years, having organized several exciting activities and events, the EPAA centres has also grown to become an increasingly popular name among tourists from around the world and considered as an exceptional eco-tourism centres as well. .”

Working Hours

The learning centres are open from 9am-6pm Sunday through Thursday and is closed on Tuesday. During the weekend the centres are open to public from 2pm-6pm on Friday and 11am-6pm on Saturday.

Sharjah’s EPAA centres

Each centre at EPAA, organizes several interactiveeducational programs through the course of the year attracting a large number of visitors to them. The Desert Park Centre for instance, was established in 1995 in Seih Al Masmout protected area which then developed to be an academy for science, culture, and entertainment. Arabia’s Wildlife Centre hosts several animals and was established in 1999 by His Highness SheikhDr Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and went on to become an ideal destination to interact with nature and wildlife.

There is the Sharjah Natural History and Botanical Museum, which takes the visitor on an enjoyable journey through the ages, to discover the age of dinosaurs, the beauty of plants and their diversity and evolution through the ages. The Islamic Botanical garden starts from a fundamental Islamic vision, which is contemplation of the Qur’an verses and Sunnah, contemplation of the verses contained in plants by linking them to modern science where the visitor has an opportunity to enjoy and learn. In the Children’s Farm, there is an experience rich in knowledge and exploration, as it is an ecological, educational and recreational park for families and school students.

The authority’s learning centres, such as the Wasit Wetland Centre, Kalba Bird of Prey Centre, and Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre which are built in the middle of the reserve that has an incredible nature and biodiversity provide a unique scientific experience, rich in educational and entertainment opportunities for every visitor to enjoy. The learning centres’ Visitors can avail of educational and entertaining tours through the various sections. These centres are distinct scientific landmarks for people and an opportunity to learn more about the natural sciences.

EPAA’s educational centres are distinguished scientific landmarks for people and an opportunity to learn about various natural and desert environmental sciences. They play an important role in increasing the level of environmental awareness, and achieve harmony between development and environmental protection in the Emirate of Sharjah.