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Abu Dhabi launches the Desert Islands - a US$3 billion international eco-tourism project.

 
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29 Apr 2007

Abu Dhabi - the largest of the seven emirates making up the United Arab Emirates and home to the capital city - is to create a unique multi-experience tourism destination, a culmination of the rich natural heritage and eco-tourism vision of the UAE's late President His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The Desert Islands destination - which lies off the emirate's western coastline - will consist of eight islands and an onshore gate - providing a multitude of experiences encompassing a nature reserve, a cultural destination and a showcase for world-class environmental, conservation and ecological tourism, including the Arabian National Park.

'This project embodies Abu Dhabi's ambitions to develop its islands and other natural resources in line with the guidance and vision of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to progress the tourism sector in the UAE capital,' said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Abu Dhabi launches the Desert Islands - a US$3 billion international eco-tourism project.

Designed as a sanctuary of nature and authenticity unique within the Arabian Gulf, the Desert Islands will significantly raise Abu Dhabi's international tourism standing creating a singular destination with experiences rivalling those of the Caribbean and the Maldives.

The Desert Islands comprise the former Royal nature reserve of Sir Bani Yas Island - Dalma Island - and the Discovery Islands - six nearby offshore outcrops - all of which will be linked by a ferry and hydrofoil service, water taxis, private 'resort' boat service and regional and sea planes.

'Masterplanning of the Desert Islands has been subject to intense sustainability governance including landscape, water, coastal, energy and cultural heritage management as well as land and marine ecology,' explained His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and of Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), which manages and develops ADTA's tourism assets.

'The overall sustainability strategy is being developed jointly by TDIC and Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Government's new advanced energy and sustainability initiative.'

The strategy will be holistic and cover power, water, infrastructure, waste management and recycling to energy building standards, and tourism-related elements. It will utilise solar and wind solutions throughout.

The 87 square kilometre Sir Bani Yas Island, which lies eight kilometres off the mainland, is the heart of the destination. Sir Bani Yas is approximately the same size as the South Atlantic Ocean's Ascension Island or Guernsey in the Channel Islands.

'Sir Bani Yas is the most demonstrable asset attesting to the late Sheikh Zayed's credentials as an environmental pioneer. It is the Arabian Gulf's largest nature reserve following Sheikh Zayed's intensive programme of vegetation and his commitment to turning the island into a sanctuary for endangered species. He himself planted the first tree on the island, which now has over 18,000 date palms and some 3.5 million trees and shrubs, including sea-view olive groves reminiscent of the Mediterranean,' explained Sheikh Sultan.

Dolphins and huge sea turtles inhabit the waters around Sir Bani Yas, which is home to a profusion of wildlife raised in a free-range environment and bred in safety. Herds include the Arabian Oryx, antelope, black buck, wild sheep, the scampering Arabian sand gazelle and a wild goat which was previously the region's most endangered species. There are also species from other countries including ostrich, giraffes and emu.

Sir Bani Yas is also home to 68 species of birdlife. Along the island's shore are sandbanks, inlets and mangrove-fringed inter-tidal lagoons frequented by flamingos, sea gulls and cormorants. There are also two freshwater 'bird lakes' where wild fowl gather. Other birdlife which can be spotted on the island include pintails, shovelers, blackwinged stilts, teals, crab plovers, avocets and grey herons.



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