Protected Areas

Protected areas are key elements and important components of the environmental strategy of the Emirate of Sharjah and Environment and Protected Areas Authority, to maintain ecosystems and protect biodiversity of wildlife on land and sea and their natural habitats, by restoring growth and prosperity of the species and degraded areas in the Emirate of Sharjah. Accordingly, legislation and laws have been set for establishing and protecting these areas. Federal environmental law No. (24) for the year 1999, regarding environmental protection and development, defines reserves as: "land or water with special environmental nature (birds, animals, fish, plants, or natural phenomena of a cultural, environmental or aesthetic value), determined by a resolution of  Ministers Council, on the proposal of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority or the decision of the competent authority. Protected areas represent different ecosystems and form 4.6% of the area of Sharjah, which are: coasts and marine environment, sand dunes, mountainous areas, valleys, gravel plains, and the ecosystem of the sabkhas (marshes) as well as of geological structures. Protected areas in Sharjah is divided into nine protected areas. Each has a defined diverse ecosystem, including its rich biodiversity, which states that Sharjah has a variety in the ecological, biological and geological systems.