DUBAI // Wrapped around Mushrif Park is a very special retirement home … for trees.
Affectionately known as Mushrif Forest to members of the horticulture section at Dubai Municipality, the 628-hectare area was fenced off to the public in 1992 to protect more than 10,000 Ghaf trees.
As the city began to expand, the municipality tried to rescue as many trees as it could - particularly the iconic Ghaf. Over a few years, thousands of trees were relocated to Mushrif.
"The first trees we moved were a group of 19 Ghafs that were located behind the World Trade Centre," said Mohammad Abdul Rahman Al Awadi, head of Dubai Municipality's horticulture section.
"What we've got now is the UAE's natural ecosystem. We haven't touched the original plants or trees. All we've done is add trees to their surroundings."
Mushrif Forest is home to 71,272 trees, more than 43,000 of which are Ghafs. It is irrigated with treated drainage water supplied by the municipality's sewage treatment plant. The trees in the area range from 20 to more than 150 years old.
"We are looking at removing any tree species that is not naturally found in the UAE to make room for the more traditional plants."
In 2008, when construction slowed, additions to the forest also slowed. Now that projects are being restarted, the section expects Mushrif Forest to get busy again.
"We are looking into being able to add a few more lines of irrigation from the drainage network," said Mr Al Awadi. "We want to be able to irrigate some of the elevated areas for which we have not had enough water in the past."
Not all trees survive the move. Those that don't make it are donated so their wood can be used in heritage projects. "Nothing goes to waste here, we manage to make use of everything we can."
A recent donation of a rare acacia species is also being cared for at the forest. The section hopes the three green-trunked acacias will soon multiply and become a common sight around the city.
The forest has also attracted a wide range of bird life. Branches are dotted with nests and quails can be seen skittering away as you walk through the forest.
"Mushrif Forest is not an official sanctuary - that would require a decree from the Ruler's Court - so we can't call it a nature reserve. But that is how we see it. It's very precious to us," Mr Al Awadi said.
Dr Reza Khan, wildlife expert and director of Dubai Zoo, said: "It's a beautiful place. I don't know why they haven't made it an official reserve. The area is home to many bird species that thrive in desert forests, like the Honey Buzzards. The old Ghaf trees that have holes in them have become home to owls including two Desert Eagle Owls, which is that largest night bird in the region."
Dr Khan said it is also home to the largest population of Eurasian Collard Doves in the UAE.
"It's the only large green area available and it's kept very clean. That's why it has attracted so many animals, including the Arabian fox and Arabian hare."
Though the forest is closed to the public, equestrian enthusiasts can enjoy a horse ride under the canopy of Ghaf branches.
malkhan@thenational.ae
Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
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Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Specs
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
