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Around 282 schools and 8 universities from across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have registered for the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD)’s 11th Annual Environment Competition since registration began in September.
This year’s topic supports the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) theme for World Environment Day: ’Forests: Nature at Your Service’ and specifically focuses on the social, economic and environmental importance of the country’s mangroves.
Mangroves play an important role in absorbing Greenhouse gases and mitigating the effects of climate change. They also act as a buffer against extreme weather events and as a nursery to the emirate’s fish stocks. They are an important habitat for tropical juvenile commercial fish species. Back in the late 1970s, massive mangrove plantation programmes put in place by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan substantially contributed to the increase of mangrove plantation over the past decades. Presently, EAD is involved in research, protection and rehabilitation of mangroves in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi including important mangrove areas such as: Saadiyat Island, Jubail Island, the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve (where Bu Tinah lies), Bu Syayeef Protected Area, Ras Gharab, the Eastern Mangroves and Ras Ghanada.
Developed by EAD in 2001, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), the Annual Environment Competition provides students with a forum to express themselves when it comes to the key environmental challenges faced by the UAE today.
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of EAD, said: "The importance of the UAE’s mangroves can never be understated. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is developing at a rapid rate; it is important for us to ensure that our surrounding land and marine ecosystems are not disrupted as a result. By working together towards the same goal, we can preserve the natural habitats for the Emirate’s precious flora and fauna for present and future generations." According to an assessment by the global Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), forests in the UAE helped absorb 16 metric tons of Carbon dioxide in the year 2010. Today, the UAE boasts 110 square kilometres of mangrove forest cover including 75 square kilometres of mangroves in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. However, rapid development poses many challenges to the integrity of mangrove ecosystems.
EAD’s Annual Environment Competition is open to students from all schools and universities in the UAE. School students can submit their entries for various categories such as: Drawing & Colouring, Drawing & Painting, Short Story Writing, Essay Writing, Group Awareness Campaigns, Poster Making, and Group Research Reports. Meanwhile, university students will be able to submit entries in categories that include Photography, Designing a public service announcement, Producing a short film, Designing an eco-friendly bag and Writing newspaper articles.
Fozeya Al Mahmoud, Manager, Environment Education Department, EAD said: "Last year, the Annual Environment Competition saw the participation of 303 schools and 18 universities from across the UAE. Over 2,729 entries were then shared with the general public through an exhibition on the Abu Dhabi Corniche. This year, we expect an increase in participation and encourage all students to register at www.envirocomp.ae ." The deadline to register for the competition is December 15, 2011 for school students and January 10, 2012 for university students.
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