The Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA) recently organized a cleaning campaign for the beaches of the Sir Bu Nair Island Reserve, which saw the participation of the University of Sharjah scouts and the Future Generations volunteer team.

The campaign came about as a result of the Sir Bu Nair Island Reserve often being affected by the remnants of boats and ships that reach its shores because of natural causes such as sea currents and waves. These waste materials, in particular plastic waste, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, pose a great threat, often with considerable harm to the region’s living creatures.

Shedding light on its environmental, tourist and recreational importance, Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, said: “The campaign aims to maintain the cleanliness of the reserve and provide clean sandy beaches free of obstacles that may get stuck in or around turtles while nesting on the island. It also intends to eradicate materials that may be swallowed by birds and cause damage to them, and to ensure beaches are free of any environmentally hazardous materials that may have been washed up by the waves.”

She noted the Authority’s keenness to organize and implement cleaning campaigns for the beaches of Sir Bu Nair Island, which contributes to highlighting its environmental, tourism, recreational and awareness-raising importance. The Authority also informs the local community of its various groups, with members of the island and the reserve promoting a culture for the younger generation regarding the vital importance of the environment and sustainability.

For his part, Abdulaziz Salem Al Suwaidi, Director of the Marine Sustainability Department at EPAA, said: pointed to the role played and efforts made by the Authority on Sir Bu Nair Island. This includes tourism and environmental aspects, both very much in keeping with the Authority’s endeavors to provide a more comprehensive system for protecting the environment on the island. This is characterized by its rich ecosystem and biodiversity.

He said: “EPAA is working to contribute to strengthening and enhancing the culture of the younger generation regarding the environment and sustainability. It wants to raise awareness of the negative effects of dumping waste on human health and the marine environment and seeks to spread awareness about environmental challenges.”

Sir Bu Nair Island

Sir Bu Nair Island is an Emirati island of international importance located 110 km north of Sharjah. The island has been declared a nature reserve by Emiri Decree No. (25) issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

The name of the reserve was included in the International Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar). In order to preserve its rich biodiversity, it was also included in the preliminary list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. It has also been noted and accepted in a Memorandum of Understanding on the protection and management of sea turtles and their habitats in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.