The deadline to vote for Bu Tinah Island as one of the New7Wonders of Nature (N7W) is 11/11/11, giving people only 77 days left to vote via SMS or online.

The N7W competition was created to celebrate the planet’s most beautiful natural areas and foster greater appreciation for the earth’s fragile habitats and species. In March 2010, Bu Tinah Island was announced as one of 28 global finalists in the contest, shortlisted from a list of around 500 natural sites from around the world.

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of EAD commented: "We’re proud that Bu Tinah has made it to the finals and has been shortlisted from a list of around 500 natural sites around the world. It has already been recognised by the international community, as part of the UNESCO-designated Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve. We are at a critical stage of this competition. A vote now for Bu Tinah is a statement that we are proud of our natural heritage, that we want future generations to enjoy it too, and that we’re all working together to make that happen. We can all help make Bu Tinah officially one of the world’s top nature areas. It takes less than 10 seconds to vote by SMS but your vote will be a vote for conservation forever." Bu Tinah Island is in the western region of Abu Dhabi Emirate and is closed to the public. This has been a critical factor in protecting it from the negative impacts of development and human-related activities and allows its biodiversity to flourish in peace. Bu Tinah is home to unique coral reefs, healthy mangroves, endangered Hawksbill turtles and dugongs, dolphins, Ospreys and Socotra cormorants. It is the only N7W finalist from the Arabian Gulf.

Since the launch of the campaign, Bu Tinah voting booths and a fleet of ’beetle’ vehicles have toured the UAE, including universities, schools, public exhibitions and events, encouraging residents to vote for Bu Tinah. Among those who have shown their support are: members of the ruling families, ministers, local celebrities, marine enthusiasts, students and school children. Anyone living in the UAE can vote for Bu Tinah by sending an SMS to 3888 with the word ’BuTinah’ in the message. In addition, people can also vote for the UAE island via the campaign website.

The campaign is under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of EAD. The Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), a master developer of major cultural, residential and tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi, is the campaign’s Platinum Sponsor.

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