Conservation chiefs have recognised an Abu Dhabi natural treasure spot on a list of protected resources across the world.
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is home to a range of biodiversity, including 4,000 flamingos, 35 plant species, 16 reptiles and some 260 other birds.
It is a popular tourist attraction in the UAE, with thousands of visitors flocking there each year to witness its beauty up close.
And it has just become the first wetland reserve in the region to be placed on the Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas by The International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, secretary general of the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi, said: “To see Al Wathba secure its status as a globally recognised Green List Area is a matter of great pride for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
“Biodiversity is an integral part of our cultural identity too, and something we want to preserve for present and future generations to come.”
To be recognised on the protection list, sites must meet a number of strict rules, including effective management and good planning, as well as being able to prove its conservation efforts have been successful.
Al Wathba has had a successful year, with some 601 flamingo chicks hatch to set a new record for the site.
