Sharjah marks 20 years of conservation

Around 120 biodiversity experts from 22 countries have gathered in the emirate for the four-day Sharjah International Conservation Forum for Arabian Biodiversity (SICFAB), which started at the Sharjah Desert Park on Monday. 
Organised by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), the launch of the 20th SICFAB was attended by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, along with other officials.
As the forum opened, Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, EPAA chairperson, looked back at how the emirate has strived to protect and nurture its rich biodiversity for the last two decades, with the help of experts and environmental groups and the support of Sharjah's leaders.
"Your diligent work and quality contributions have been a great support to Sharjah's efforts and its environmental strategy, which is based on protecting ecosystems, reducing degradation and exploitation, overseeing nature reserves, and strengthening legal and legislative frameworks to preserve the environment and conserve biodiversity," Al Suwaidi said, addressing the audience.
She also thanked the emirate's leadership for its unwavering commitment to achieving environmental protection goals. "His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and his interest in and support for environmental issues have greatly influenced the development of SICFAB over the past 20 years," Al Suwaidi said.  
In October 2017, it was Sheikh Sultan who declared the plan to transform 15 per cent of the emirate into nature reserves.
"Today, we have the right to be proud, because 15 per cent of the area of Sharjah is now a group of nature reserves," she said. 
Besides discussing biodiversity, participants at this year's SICFAB will develop an action plan and complete the work on biodiversity, veterinary medicine and the use of drones that began last year.
On the first day of the forum, professor Philip Seddon spoke about the importance of animal translocation in the conservation of biodiversity; Dr Penny Langhammer made a presentation about key biodiversity areas; and Dr Gerhard Steenkamp talked about veterinary medicine and its role in the conservation of biodiversity.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah