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GREEN CARD ANYONE?

addressed to environment lovers that the global environmental agency's association with the Arabian Peninsula which dates back to the early 1960s has been strengthened with the recent establishment of a credible presence in the UAE and by its joint work with local agencies to raise environmental and conservation awareness in the region. WWF is an international association, which is fighting to stop the degradation of Earth's natural environment.

"Education plays a key role in raising such awareness, particularly among the young, and the Enviro-Spellathon succeeds in accomplishing this. Implemented in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, this programme will continue in schools, developing a sense of involvement in every one of the 125,000 student participants to date," he said. About 35 unique varieties of green greeting cards with different themes of environment, heritage, marine life, wildlife and seasonal themes from the UAE will be presented in the 2005 greeting cards.

“Qarnein Island remains a major achievement as the first internationally recognised Marine Protected Area in the Arabian Gulf and its acknowledgement by the WWF as a Gift to the Earth. Owned by Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the island is a forerunner to the protected areas in the region," his message promoting the green cards says. "WWF's work with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has assisted the UAE in lifting the CITES trade suspension. Further by conducting an extensive awareness and training programme, WWF enhanced the capacity of local enforcement agencies to detect and act upon violations by illegal traders," it added.

"This resulted in a record number of seizures of illicit wild life trade in the past 12 months," he added. The WWF Director has also thanked the Dubai Municipality for providing its office in the historical area of Al Bastakia, Dubai. This designated heritage area housing the Sheikh Mohammed Cultural Centre and other non-profit organisations, will enable WWF to successfully continue its conservation work in the region, he added.

"By making a purchase from WWF's range of greeting cards and merchandise, you are generally contributing and continuing to support the WWF mission to stop the degradation of the natural environment. You are also helping build a future where the people of the UAE can live in harmony with nature for many years to come," he says.

About 100 major companies in the UAE purchased WWF conservation cards last year. These companies include prominent business groups like the Al Futtaim Group, Abu Dhabi Civil Aviation, BP International, various banks, Dubai Aluminum Company, Arabian Wildlife, Emirates Diving Association, National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels, Sony Gulf FZE, Swedish and Australian embassies, to name a few.

Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the patron of WWF in the UAE also said in a message that the UAE has a long tradition of working for the betterment of its culture, society and environment. "It was in this spirit that I agreed to become the patron of WWF's first permanent presence in the Middle East here in the UAE. WWF has been closely associated with the region for many years and recent successes include "Operation Oryx", a project developed to protect the Arabian Oryx from extinction. Other projects include establishing protected areas of natural habitat like the tidal marshes, mangroves and coral reefs to the protection of many indigenous species such as the Arabian Leopard and Marine Turtles," he said.

"WWF is working for the long term preservation of the environment and the immense natural wealth that we find here in the UAE. It aims, with the assistance of local agencies and businesses, to create a consciousness of the many environmental issues that face society every day in the hope that together we can all make a difference," he added. "By working together, pooling resources and sharing knowledge, I am confident that we can bring about that change and real conservation achievement in our uniquely beautiful part of the world.”

In the heritage section there are 12 varieties of cards showing a UAE boy and man, sunset mosque and its doorways, wooden door and dhows, Arab lanterns, wind tower, the Jumeirah Mosque, dancing sticks, and brass plates. In the environment division, there are cards showing mountains, sunlit Wadi, dunes and men enjoying dhow races. In the marine section, there are cards showing sunset dhows, coral reef, swimming turtles, dolphin and harbour dhows. The wildlife section covers greeting cards with pictures of falcons, camels and caravans.

The international conservation agency is also planning to bring out 2005 calendar with beautiful scenes of the Arabian Gulf. The seasonal themes on the WWF calendars will include Candlelight Greetings, Happy Diwali, Gulf Christmas, Coffee and Dates, Bidaya Mosque and pictures showing joy, peace and prosperity. All the nature's greeting cards will be completely natural, printed on cent percent recycled paper sourced from local manufacturers. Some of the photographs for the greeting cards are donated by photographers and artists like Paul Thursby, Daren Bell, Trever Waugh, Christopher Southcombe, Patricia Farki, PPL, Canon and the Dubai Municipality.