Abu Dhabi unveils new eco guidelines.Byline: Abu Dhabi Abu DhabieIUs Urban Planning Council (UPC (Universal Product Code) The standard bar code printed on retail merchandise, which is administered by GS1 US, Brussels, Belgium and Lawrenceville, NJ (www.gs1.org). ), in close collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency and other government organisations, announced the launch of new planning guidelines for the Eastern Mangrove mangrove, large tropical evergreen tree, genus Rhizophora, that grows on muddy tidal flats and along protected ocean shorelines. Mangroves are most abundant in tropical Asia, Africa, and the islands of the SW Pacific. Lagoon National Park. The move is aimed at protecting its natural and cultural resources, said a government official. As the first of five national parks identified in 'Plan Abu Dhabi 2030,' the Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park will have specific planning guidelines to ensure its protection and longevity. The UPC is currently formulating similar specific planning guidelines for the remaining designated reserves. Falah Al Ahbabi, UPC general manager, said the mangroves surrounding the city are the most important ecological source in the country and contain more biodiversities than any other area in Abu Dhabi. "The environmental framework policies ensure the long-term protection of the mangrove area for future generations of citizens and visitors to Abu Dhabi," he opined. The planning guidelines require that native vegetation and supporting hydrology hydrology, study of water and its properties, including its distribution and movement in and through the land areas of the earth. The hydrologic cycle consists of the passage of water from the oceans into the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration (or be retained within the National Park, while allowing for adjustments to changing climate, sea level and other conditions. These guidelines are based on scientific information that has been collected in the area by the Abu Dhabi Government over many years and include archaeological, ecological and hydrological hy·drol·o·gy n. The scientific study of the properties, distribution, and effects of water on the earth's surface, in the soil and underlying rocks, and in the atmosphere. data, he explained. They will encourage best practices in design, require careful consideration of utility provision and employ environmentally sensitive construction practices. The area has been the centre of recent development proposals following the urban structure framework scheme 'Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.' Ecologically, the Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park is a biodiversity hotspot containing large areas of intertidal in·ter·tid·al adj. Of or being the region between the high tide mark and the low tide mark. in habitats, including a mangrove forest, salt marsh, mudflat Mudflats are coastal wetlands that form when mud is deposited by the tides or rivers, sea and oceans. They are found in sheltered areas such as bays, bayous, lagoons, and estuaries. and algal algal pertaining to or caused by algae. algal infection is very rare but systemic and udder infections are recorded. See protothecosis. algal mastitis the algae Prototheca trispora and P. communities, Al Ahbabi pointed out. The ecosystem will provide a home to an array of species, including crabs, marine birds and abundant fish species. The national park also provides a habitat for foraging turtles and marine mammals marine mammals mammals inhabiting the sea; generally taken to include the cetaceans (whales, porpoise, dolphin), the sirenians (sea-cows, including manatees and dugong) and the pinnipeds (the carnivores of the group, seals, sealions, walruses). such as dugong dugong: see sirenian. dugong Large marine mammal (Dugong dugon, the sole living member of the family Dugongidae) that lives in shallow coastal waters from the Red Sea and eastern Africa to the Philippines, New Guinea, and northern Australia. and dolphin within a few kilometres of downtown Abu Dhabi. The Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park also has important historical cultural significance as archaeological artefacts discovered in the area are testament to an early Bronze Age civilization. The UPC and its partners have ensured that the new planning guidelines will protect and preserve these values and artefacts, he said. The close proximity of the national park to the urban areas of Abu Dhabi provides unique and unparalleled opportunities for recreation and environmental awareness activities. City school and university students can also take advantage of their close proximity to the national park and undertake environmental training in a natural environment.- TradeArabia News Service E Copyright 2007 www.tradearabia.com Copyright 2008 Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing Group Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion