Wadi Wurrayah becomes wildlife reserve

Wadi Wurrayah and surrounding areas in the mountains of eastern Fujairah have been formally declared as a nature reserve and protected area under the terms of an Emiri decree issued yesterday by HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, UAE Supreme Council member and Ruler of Fujairah.
Law No. 2 for 2009 says that the area to be protected includes Wadi Wurrayah itself as well as surrounding areas extending to Wadi Zikt, Wadi Maqsad and Wadi Al Sodiya.
The objectives of the new Law include a preservation of local cultural heritage and its wildlife and flora, raising public awareness about the significance of the area and promoting environmental tourism.
Under the Law, it will be forbidden to damage the natural habitat of the protected area or to hunt animals or to kill birds or to destroy their eggs. In order to protect the native species of plants and wildlife, the Law also prohibits the introduction of alien, non-native species into the protected area.
The Law also provides for the drawing up of regulations to prevent trade in endangered species.
Wadi Wurrayah, a mountain Wadi close to the town of Bidiya, is the only valley in the UAE with a permanent waterfall and has, as a result, become a popular tourist destination. Many visitors, however, leave plastic bags, cans and other garbage in the wadi, which has a harmful effect on the local environment and wildlife.
The decision to extend formal legal protection to Wadi Wurrayah and adjacent areas follows an extensive study of the fauna, flora and archaeological sites carried out by the Emirates Wildlife Society - World Wide Fund for Nature, EWS-WWF, in association with the Fujairah Municipality.
The research study showed that the Wadi Wurrayah area was home to some of the UAE's most endangered animals and birds.