Khors, Lagoons, Mangrove Forests in UAE
May 20, 2010 By: Amruta Kshemkalyani

A few years back on my way to work, every day I used to pass four islands. Yas , Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi main island & finally Maryah island (later renamed as Al Maryah Island). Rarely you get such a scenic journey on your way to work. Everyday all I used to see is picture perfect clear skies, blue sea, mangroves, trees, bushes, birds and beautiful islands.

UAE is blessed with number of mangroves, marshlands along it’s coast as well as wetland on coast or inland but unfortunately now most of wetlands are under development. In recent years Environmental impact assessment is done & environmental management plant is implemented while developing near the natural reserves. They also create a new habitat for ecosystem as compensation. Some of the mangroves are protected officially like Eastern Mangove National Park of Abu Dhabi. Still question remains developing natural resources is good or bad?

Some typical arguments in UAE, that it is a desert & development creates new habitats. In some case it is very true. Specially the newly developed communities in the dessert of Dubai are lush green round the year, where there was only sun & sand previously.

Mangrove Benefits

Crab

In the dessert of UAE, Mangroves are most bio-diverse natural systems. The migrating birds take their halt in theses mangroves during winter. It’s a breeding or cultivating ground for marine life like fish, crabs. It is a natural habitat of spawning for large number of fish. I got to see all the bio-diversity in mangrove eco-system up close and personal when I volunteered for mangrove planting a few years back, you can click this post to read my experience.

Mangroves can protect the land from high tide and tsunami. They basically increase capability to resist effects of cyclone & tidal waves. Traditionally the timber from trees and shrubs in mangroves were used for fire wood, housing material, charcoal, fishing material etc. Leaves from trees & shrubs are always good food for animals. This is not all, mangroves also act as carbon sink!

Guide to UAE’s Mangroves

In UAE, 50 sq Km area is covered by mangroves. Many exclusive species in theses mangroves are on the way to extinction. Here are important mangrove colonies near shore islands and lagoons in UAE,

On west coast of UAE,

1. Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. You can visit this sanctuary to see famous flamingoes of Dubai from bird watching hide.

2. Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG) Reserve at Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary

3. Many mangroves around Abu Dhabi main land & islands like Sadiyat, Yas Islands. One of the most popular is Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park, where you can also enjoy kayaking without disturbing the natural system and see the beauty up close. Read here my experience of kayaking in Eastern Mangroves.

Kayaking in Eastern Mangrove, Abu Dhabi

4. Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is another notable wetland in Abu Dhabi, which is located inland. It is popular spot for bird watching, more 250 bird species have been spotted in Al Wathba wetland reserve.

5. Ras al khaima- Rabanal, Beushell

6. Umm Al Quwain- Khor al Beidah

7. Ajman- Al Zorah khor is a tidal lagoon.

8. Sharjah- Unfortunately most of the wetlands in sharjah are developed but very interestingly in recent years, results of Sharjah’s sustainability efforts, they have converted a former dumpyard into a beautiful wetland, Wasit Wetland. Read here about Wasit Wetland bird sanctuary.

9. Khor Kalba- This is the only mangrove on East Coast of UAE and is part of Sharjah.

Khor Kalba

At khor Kalba you can go for kayaking. It is also a popular place for barbecue, picnic or camping but I found lot of litter and even cleaned up some part. When you are enjoying these unique and sensitive natural systems of UAE, please be careful. Leave nothing but footprints!

While writing this article I remembered last year I watched documentary film “Marshes and Mangroves” by Animal Planet screening arranged by WWF-EWS. The documentary is focused on mangroves, marshes and wet land areas in world, rich biodiversity found there & how climate change is threatening these mangroves & their habitats. Do not miss to watch this documentary if you get a chance.

With vanishing mangroves the biodiversity is also vanishing. The mangroves are UAE’s most significant biological ecosystems and we all need to protect it!

When talking about wetlands, how can we miss the most attractive residents of any wetland? Birds, wetlands are favourite habitat of birds. Read here a guide to birds in UAE, which include UAE’s native and as well as regular visitors of UAE, migratory birds.

If you haven’t yet, join our tribe here and get regular updates about sustainable lifestyle and sustainable travels.