Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi is now on a global list of protected areas.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature placed the wetland reserve on its Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, a first for the region.
In 2013, Al Wathba became the first area to be designated a Ramsar site in Abu Dhabi for protecting the emirate’s biodiversity and endangered species. Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance and UAE has eight of these.
Al Wathba Reserve is home to over 4,000 flamingos and 260 other birds, 320 invertebrates, 35 plant species, 16 reptiles and 10 mammals. The reserve is also the only site in the Arabian Gulf where the Greater Flamingo breeds regularly. This year, the reserve saw 601 flamingo chicks hatch, the highest number ever recorded at Al Wathba.
The wetland was announced to be on the global list at the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Sharm El-Sheikh this week.
James Hardcastle, IUCN’s lead on the green list programme, said: "Al Wathba is an amazing example of what can be achieved with hard work by men and women working to protect and manage the environment."
Since opening to the public in 2014, Al Wathba has attracted around 20,000 visitors.
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, secretary general of the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi, said: “To see Al Wathba secure its status as a globally recognised Green List Area is a matter of great pride for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
"Biodiversity is an integral part of our cultural identity too, and something we want to preserve for present and future generations to come.”
The IUCN Green List sets the global standard for protected areas. Sites must fulfil criteria including good governance, effective management, and sound design and planning. The site should also demonstrate successful results from conservation efforts. The certificate is valid for 5 years, during which the site needs to continue making improvements.
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Read more:
The UAE's wetlands are a national treasure that deserve our care and protection
Air we go: Flamingo flights tracked for UAE conservation celebration
Thousands of native trees to be planted in Abu Dhabi wetlands
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Palestine and Israel - live updates
Biography
Her family: She has four sons, aged 29, 27, 25 and 24 and is a grandmother-of-nine
Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Favourite drink: Water
Her hobbies: Reading and volunteer work
Favourite music: Classical music
Her motto: I don't wait, I initiate
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
ARGYLLE
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