The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah welcomed 66,663 visitors to six of its centres during January and February 2021. The numbers were broken down as follows: 2,500 visitors to the Wasit WetlandCentre; 1,925 visitors to the Kalba Bird of Prey Centre; 3,590 visitors to the Buhais Geology Park; 1003 visitors to the Al Dhaid Wildlife Centre; 54,684 visitors to Sharjah Desert Park; and 2,961 visitors to the Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre.

A major environmental awareness role

Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, said: “The Authority’s affiliated centres play a major part in environmental awareness, through their various activities and programs which contribute to educating residents, visitors, citizens, and all members of society. They also provide an enjoyable tourist and entertainment destination for both adults and children alike, falling into the framework of ecotourism which has seen a rise in popularity among tourists from around the world.”

Her Excellency explained that the Authority and its centres have various attractive and targeted programs that contribute to increasing visitor turnout. The Sharjah Desert Park, for example, which facilitates the preservation of animals which are indigenous to the region, has developed into a science, culture, and entertainment complex that contains several different centres for families. The Centre provides an ideal outing for families, with rich environmental information, an opportunity for education, activities and entertainment events, and to interact with nature.

Distinguished scientific landmarks

Among the most important centres of the Authority are the Wasit Wetland Centre, the Kalba Bird of Prey Centre and the Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre. The learning centres provide visitors with a unique scientific experience, represented in educational and entertainment complexes. Visitors to the learning centres are given educational tours through entertaining means to get to know the centres’ various sections. These centres are distinct scientific landmarks for people and an opportunity to learn about various natural sciences, such as desert environmental sciences.

Buhais Geology Park aims to revive the ancient and rich geological history of Sharjah and introduce visitors to the geological history of the emirate. The Park is considered one of the pioneering projects in this field. As for the Al Dhaid Wildlife Centre, it is one of the most important specialized centres that displays wildlife images in a realistic, interactive manner, and provides visitors with a wonderful opportunity to learn about desert life and the wildlife that inhabits it. Visitors can enjoy a heritage area, a poetry room, and an interactive education area for children that provide them with the ability to learn about camels, desert insects, and other native creatures, and provide them with interactive workshops.

The EPAA is keen for the centres to continually play a role of environmental awareness within the community, whether through its activities, programs, and events organized and hosted at the centres, or through initiatives aimed at preserving the environment. The Environment and Protected Areas Authority is acutely aware of the importance of participation and interaction with the public to raise environmental and preservation awareness.

The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah seeks to protect the environment, natural reserves, wildlife and their biodiversity through scientific studies and research. The authority publishes educational awareness material, implements policies for environmental awareness and programs, and launches specialized campaigns in the field of environmental awareness and education.