Wasit Wetland Centre

Wasit Nature Reserve is located at a meeting point between the land and the sea. It features extensive dunes, mud flats and salty lagoons, as well as fresh water pools, and is part of an ancient chain of historical wetlands along the Gulf coast. The reserve supports a wide range of wetland wildlife, providing food, nesting and shelter opportunities .

At its heart, the Wasit Wetland Centre brings visitors up close to coastal bird populations. Hosting over 60 species of resident and migratory birds, it offers unique viewing opportunities across large aviaries and from multiple hides located around the site. The centre also provides educational opportunities for visitors, with detailed bird information and activities.

Protected areas are key elements and important components of the environmental strategy of the Emirate of Sharjah and Environment and Protected Areas Authority, to maintain ecosystems and protect biodiversity of wildlife on land and sea and their natural habitats, by restoring growth and prosperity of the species and degraded areas in the Emirate of Sharjah. Accordingly, legislation and laws have been set for establishing and protecting these areas. Federal environmental law No. (24) for the year 1999, regarding environmental protection and development, defines reserves as: “land or water with special environmental nature (birds, animals, fish, plants, or natural phenomena of a cultural, environmental or aesthetic value), determined by a resolution of  Ministers Council, on the proposal of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority or the decision of the competent authority. Protected areas represent different ecosystems and form 4.6% of the area of Sharjah, which are: coasts and marine environment, sand dunes, mountainous areas, valleys, gravel plains, and the ecosystem of the sabkhas (marshes) as well as of geological structures. Protected areas in Sharjah is divided into nine protected areas. Each has a defined diverse ecosystem, including its rich biodiversity, which states that Sharjah has a variety in the ecological, biological and geological systems.

Future Ambitions:

Getting aware of the responsibilities of strategic duties surrounding the rate of environmental work and what is required from the need to emphasize the responsibility of commitment to continue to achieve more accomplishment and contribute to changing environmental situation to a better future. EPAA seeks to develop strategies and action plans to achieve goals which it was created through working on the development of technical and administrative staff, as well as programs and plans  development within work areas. In addition to stress on implementing environmental policy properly, which will be backed by a apropos political environmental decision.

Furthermore, EPAA aims to stress on  increasing the level of environmental awareness to different parts of society to achieve the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi the Ruler of Sharjah, with regard to preserve the ecosystems, and seek to entrench the principle that environmental protection is everyone’s responsibility, also stressed that the protection of the environment is a religious duty and moral responsibility.

In the framework of that principle EPAA will work on deepen the aspects of joint cooperations, and partnerships to develop environmental action mechanisms  at the national and regional level, to ensure the development of practical plans that motivates social beliefs and in particular decision-makers in order to increase attention to environmental issues. This will lead to the adoption of environmental policy that is required to address the environmental issues and exclude environmental risks triggers. Which can contribute in a positive change to the environmental assessment criteria for new projects, to  implement development plans and urban civilization development. In order to ensure the embodiment of developed plans and programs to preserve the ecosystems, including reinforcing sustainable development, and save the environmental rights of both present and future generations.