DM to take part in global wetlands summit.Byline: Dubai(Image: ramsar.gif ) Dubai Municipality's Environment Department is participating in the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971), to be held in Changwon, South Korea, from October 28 to November 4. The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 158 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1782 wetland sites, totaling 161 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance This is the list of wetlands of international importance as defined by the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. For complete list see here. Site listing by country These data have been taken from the Ramsar Sites Database. . The UAE's sole Ramsar-approved wetland is the Ras Al Khor Ras Al Khor, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is a wetland reserve renowned for attracting migratory birds in large numbers. The wetlands have large numbers of birds, crustaceans, small mammals and fish. Wildlife Sanctuary (RAKWS). It is the first wildlife sanctuary in Dubai. Covering a 6.2 sq km-area surrounded by a buffer zone buffer zone n. A neutral area between hostile or belligerent forces that serves to prevent conflict. Noun 1. buffer zone , the sanctuary is home to about 266 species of fauna and 47 species of flora. The existence of various ecosystems within RAKWS - mangroves, mudflats, lagoons, sabkhas, reed beds and shrub lands -- contributes to rich biological diversity; as these support a variety of plants, insects, mollusks, fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals. The majestic Flamingoes in the background of lush green mangroves are most visible and attractive natural features of RAKS. It supports a rich invertebrate invertebrate (ĭn'vûr`təbrət, –brāt'), any animal lacking a backbone. The invertebrates include the tunicates and lancelets of phylum Chordata, as well as all animal phyla other than Chordata. fauna, mainly consisting of polychaete worms, mollusks, and brachyuran brach·y·u·ran also brach·y·u·ral or brach·y·u·rous adj. Of or belonging to the Brachyura, a group of crustaceans including the true crabs, characterized by a short abdomen concealed under the cephalothorax. n. crabs. The RAKS is also the central attraction for bird watching Bird Watching is a British magazine for birders. The current editor is Kevin Wilmot. External Links
Currently, the Environment Department is planning an extensive media campaign to promote public awareness about the sanctuary.- TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2008 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