Dubai is one of the fastest growing cities in the world with unique environments, ecosystems and wildlife. From the lofty Hajar Mountains and vast desert dunes to its beautiful coastlines, Dubai Municipality and its partners manage the Emirate’s rich and diverse assemblages of birds, mammals, reptiles, plants and marine life to achieve a sustainable, dynamic and healthy balance with the evolving urban landscape.
In order to preserve the natural beauty of Dubai, Dubai Municipality formally established eight protected areas under Decree of 2014 issued by the H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Covering approximately 31% of the total area of Dubai, the eight natural reserves represent all major ecosystem types of the Emirate: mountain, desert, coastal and marine. They are managed by Dubai Municipality, in cooperation with other partners, with the principal goals to protect, restore and promote the ecosystems and natural biodiversity of the reserves through a range of scientific research, monitoring, educational, and sustainable recreational initiatives.
Listed below are the Protected Areas of Dubai:
1) Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
2) Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
3) Al Wohoosh Desert Conservation Reserve
4) Jabal Ali Wildlife Sanctuary
5) Hatta Mountain Reserve
6) Jabal Nazwa Conservation Reserve
7) Ghaf Nazwa Conservation Reserve
8) Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Legal and Policy Framework
Dubai Municipality is in charge of managing the natural reserves under the Law No.11 of 2003 on the Establishment of Protected Areas in the Emirate of Dubai issued by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum, The Vice President and Prime Minister on the United Arab Emirates, and the Ruler of Dubai, with the aim of preserving the natural environment, wildlife and marine life.
Dubai Municipality has played an integral role in the development and implementation of a number of key policies, plans and programmes to facilitate effective management and conservation of the natural reserves of Dubai.
Over the years, Dubai Municipality has worked with several partners and experts in the establishment of infrastructure and provision of necessary supplies to protect its nature reserves and to encourage eco-tourism.
Existing Federal and Local Laws govern the protection and conservation of natural resources in Dubai. Some of the Federal Laws include:
- No.9 of 1983 (ban on wildlife hunting, gathering and destruction)
- No. 23 of 1999 (Exploitation, Protection and Development of living aquatic resources in the waters of UAE
- No. 24 of 1999 (Protection and Development of the Environment).
At the Emirate level, among the relevant laws include:
- Local Order No.11 of 2003 (Establishment of Protected Areas in the Emirate of Dubai)
- Local Order No. 61 of 1991 (Environmental Protection Regulations in the Emirate of Dubai)
- Local Order No. 2 of 1998 (Declaration of Wildlife Sanctuaries in the Emirate of Dubai.) Decree No. 22 of 2014 ( Declaration of protected areas).
Local Order No.11 of 2003 specifies prohibits the following activities:
“Any work, acts, activities or procedures which may destroy or damage wildlife, marine flora and fauna, and effect the aesthetic standard in protected areas, shall be prohibited; particularly the following:
Hunting, transporting, killing or disturbing marine or other wildlife; or undertake any acts which lead to their destruction.
Hunting, removal or transporting of any creatures or organic materials such as mollusks, coral reefs, rocks or soil for any purpose.
Destroying or transporting plants from the protected areas.
Damaging or disfiguring geological or geographical formations of areas considered to be the habitat of animal or plant species or their proliferation.
Introducing non-indigenous species to the protected areas.
Polluting the soil, water or air of the protected area by any means.
Constructing buildings, structures, roads using motorized vehicles or practicing any agriculture, industrial or commercial activities in the protected areas, or practice any activity, acts or works in areas surrounding the conservation area unless by a permit from the competent authority in accordance with approved conditions and rules.
