News

First immersive Butterfly Gardens to open in Abu Dhabi this September

Published

1 year ago

April 30, 2025

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Abu Dhabi is set to welcome its first immersive butterfly sanctuary in September 2025, offering a magical experience where visitors can walk among thousands of butterflies in a lush, tropical setting.

The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi made the exciting announcement at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, the region’s biggest travel and tourism event. The attraction will be located next to The National Aquarium at Al Qana, a growing leisure destination in the capital.

The new sanctuary will be home to over 10,000 butterflies and will feature beautiful green landscapes inside specially designed climate-controlled domes. These domes will recreate natural environments from around the world, allowing guests to enjoy a close-up look at butterflies and other fascinating creatures in surroundings that feel like real rainforests.

Butterflies from different continents

The Butterfly Gardens will be split into two main zones: Asia and the Americas. Each zone will focus on butterflies and animals from that part of the world.

In the Americas dome, visitors can expect to see two-toed sloths, caiman crocodiles, and a variety of American insects.

Meanwhile, the Asian dome will feature animals like bearcats, koi carp, and a colourful range of Asian insects. As guests walk through the gardens, butterflies will flutter freely around them, making it a truly immersive and memorable experience.

Paul Hamilton, General Manager of The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi, said the goal is to create an environment that allows butterflies and other species to thrive just as they would in the wild. “It is more than an attraction; it’s a nature reserve designed to promote a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of our ecosystems,” he explained.

Designed to entertain and educate, the Butterfly Gardens aim to inspire visitors of all ages to reconnect with nature. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or a nature lover, this new addition to Abu Dhabi’s tourism scene promises an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

(Source: Wam)

Related Topics:abudhabi alqana atm butterflies butterflygardens insects naturalenvironment nature sloth Tourism tropicalsetting uae

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Health

UAE to India travellers face new mandatory health declaration

Published

5 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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If you’re travelling from the UAE to India, there’s a new travel requirement you shouldn’t miss.

India has introduced Air Suvidha 2.0, a mandatory online health declaration system for all international arrivals. The form must be completed within 24 hours before your flight and is required before passengers are allowed to board.

The new system was introduced by India’s civil aviation authorities as a precautionary measure in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

What is Air Suvidha 2.0?

Air Suvidha 2.0 is an online self-declaration portal where travellers must provide their recent travel and health information before flying to India.

Passengers will be asked to submit details including:

Their travel history over the past 21 days
Any possible exposure to infectious diseases
Whether they are experiencing any related symptoms

Once the form is submitted, it is automatically shared with the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) under India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Is the form mandatory?

Yes. All international passengers travelling to India are required to complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form before boarding their flight.

Airlines may ask passengers to show proof that the form has been submitted before allowing them to travel.

Do you need a printed copy?

No. After submitting the form, travellers will receive a confirmation by email, which can simply be shown on a mobile phone upon arrival in India. There’s no need to carry a printed copy.

Completing the form in advance also helps speed up the arrival process by reducing paperwork at the airport.

Announcements

Good news for businesses: Sharjah slashes fees and fines

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5 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Businesses in Sharjah can now benefit from a range of temporary fee reductions after Sharjah Police unveiled a new package of incentives aimed at easing costs and supporting the emirate’s business community.

The measures, introduced in line with a decision by the Sharjah Executive Council, include 50% discounts on several security-related fees, along with reduced fines and lower training costs for companies.

What discounts are available?

Under the new initiative, eligible businesses will receive:

50% off security permit renewal fees for commercial activities
50% off security system subscription fees
50% reduction on eligible violations and fines
20% off mandatory training programme fees for companies

Sharjah Police said the initiative is designed to support commercial establishments, encourage business sustainability and further strengthen the emirate’s position as an attractive destination for investment.

How long will the discounts last?

The incentives will be available for three months from the date the decision comes into effect.

Businesses seeking more information about the discounts and eligibility can contact the Sharjah Police Call Centre on 901.

India

Waiting for Indian passport services in the UAE? Here’s the latest update

Published

6 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Indian nationals in the UAE will have to wait a little longer for regular passport, visa and attestation services to resume.

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have announced that they will continue offering only emergency consular services until July 1, extending the temporary suspension of routine services by an additional day.

In a post on the missions’ official X account, the embassy said emergency requests for passports, visas, attestation and other consular services will continue to be processed during the transition period.

Why the delay?

The extension comes as the Indian missions complete the handover of outsourced passport, visa and attestation services to Alhind Tours and Travel LLC, which is set to begin operations in the UAE from July 1.

Under the transition plan, previous service providers BLS International and SGIVS Global stopped accepting new applications after June 25, while regular appointments were suspended from June 26.

The missions said the extension is due to administrative reasons.

Need urgent assistance?

Applicants with emergency requirements can contact the Indian missions through:

Toll-free: 800 46342 (800 INDIA)
WhatsApp: +971 54 309 0571
Email: pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in

The embassy said details about the resumption of normal services from July 2 onwards will be announced separately and advised applicants to follow its official social media channels for updates.