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UAE : Why 20 per cent of Abu Dhabi land has been designated as nature reserves

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2 months ago

October 17, 2025

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In a bold move for conservation, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has decreed that 20 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s land must now be protected as nature reserves. The directive will create new conservation zones and expand existing ones, reinforcing the UAE’s environmental leadership.

What will change
The expansion will add 4,581 square kilometres to Abu Dhabi’s protected areas under the Zayed Protected Areas Network, which already includes several terrestrial and marine reserves. New designated zones include Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve, Liwa Groundwater Reservoir, Ghaf Natural Reserve, and expansions to Qasr Al Sarab and Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve.

Why it matters
This is more than just land allocation; it’s about protecting biodiversity, preserving ecosystems, and ensuring sustainable development for future generations. Officials say it aligns with the UAE’s National Biodiversity Strategy 2031 and global goals, such as the “30 by 30” initiative.

Continuing momentum from Conservation Congress
The announcement follows the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi, where global conservation goals were set and leadership reaffirmed. IUCN World Conservation Congress. The expanded reserves will be managed by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), which views this as a means to strengthen its role in regional environmental governance.

What’s next
Expect to see new programmes in wildlife protection, habitat restoration, and collaborative projects with international partners. Early signs of bilateral environmental MoUs, such as with Japan for bird conservation, are already being put in motion.

Related Topics:AbuDhabiNature Conservation GreenUAE sustainability UAEEnvironment

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.

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Dubai-India travel: Security procedures triggered for Emirates flight following bomb threat email, flight lands safely

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3 days ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Authorities at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport activated full emergency protocols on Friday after receiving a bomb threat email linked to Emirates flight EK526 travelling from Dubai (DXB) to Hyderabad (HYD).

According to GMR officials, the threat email landed in the airport’s customer support inbox around 7.30am on December 5. Despite the alert, the flight continued under strict monitoring and landed safely at 8.30am.

Once on the ground, the aircraft was immediately moved to an isolated bay. Passengers were safely deboarded, and security te

ams carried out standard bomb threat checks. Investigations are currently underway.

Emirates confirmed the incident in a statement to local media, saying authorities had alerted them to a “potential security threat” to EK526.
“All standard security procedures were implemented by the relevant local authorities with full co-operation from Emirates’ ground teams,” the airline said, adding that “the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain the highest priority.”

Authorities say all threats are being investigated, and extra security measures remain in place at the airport.

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Driving through Abu Dhabi this week? Here are the road closures you need to know about

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Abu Dhabi motorists can expect some delays over the next few days, with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) announcing a series of partial road closures across key routes in the capital. Drivers are being urged to plan, allow extra travel time, and follow diversions to avoid congestion.

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street

A major set of phased lane closures will take place near Sheikh Zayed Bridge from Tuesday, December 9 to Monday, December 22, 2025.

Three left lanes will be closed from 12am on December 9 until 10pm on December 15.
Two right lanes will then shut from 10pm on December 15 until 6am on December 22.

Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Street

Another temporary closure is scheduled on Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Street from 5pm on December 5 until 5am on December 8.

Authorities explained that these restrictions are part of ongoing road enhancement projects designed to improve traffic flow and safety across the city. Motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes wherever possible during the maintenance period.

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Sharjah Police give deadline to remove National Day stickers, or face fines

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3 days ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

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If your car is still sporting National Day decals, it’s time to take them off. Sharjah Police have announced that all vehicle owners must remove their UAE National Day celebration stickers by Saturday, December 6, and those who miss the deadline will face violations.

The reminder follows a crackdown during the 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations, where authorities impounded 106 vehicles and nine motorbikes for dangerous and irresponsible behaviour on the roads.

According to Sharjah Police, the violations included:

Creating loud noise and disturbing residents
Driving recklessly and endangering others
Operating vehicles without a valid licence

Police officials urged motorists to celebrate responsibly and avoid turning festivities into safety risks.

However, there has been a shift in decorating trends this year. Many residents opted for cleaner, simpler, more elegant designs to showcase their UAE pride ahead of the long weekend, and demand for custom decals surged.

Authorities are now urging residents to ensure all celebratory stickers and decorations are removed by the set deadline to keep roads safe and avoid penalties.