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Children learn how to protect ecology

SHARJAH - Protecting the environment and preserving the wildlife in coastal and marine habitats was the objective of a series of summer activities organised by the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority at the Children's Farm in Sharjah.

The summer programme was organised from July 20 to August 20 and concluded at a ceremony held last week. More than 500 children from various summer centres in the emirate were involved in the programme which were aimed at increasing their awareness on preserving the environment.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ghaliya Mohammed Al Midfaa, Director of the Children Farm, stressed on the importance of engaging children in several entertaining activities that would educate them on how to protect various animal species.

"Developing the children's skills and making use of their time in the summer vacation were among the aims of the summer programme," she explained, noting that more than 1,200 children visited the farm during August.

"A painting exhibition on protecting the environment was concluded last week at the Children Farm. Children from several youth centres in Al Madam and Al Hamiriya areas participated in the exhibition organised by the authority," she said.

Al Midfaa observed that the paintings portrayed the children's sentiments towards the World's environment problems including air, sea, and land pollution, adding that some of the portraits showed animals dying because of eating plastic bags and other pollutants, while other works highlighted the adverse impact of factories on people's health in cities and villages.

As for the participations of summer centres in the farm's activities during this period, Al Midfaa said that Al Rigga Child Centre organised an art exhibition to portray the human practices leading to pollution.

"Al Melaiha Child Centre also organised an exhibition at the farm featuring animal species and especially the marine habitats.

"During the exhibition, valuable information on the importance of protecting animals and their role in preserving the ecological system and maintaining its balance were offered to children," she pointed out.

The Girls Summer Centres in Al Rafia, Al Hamriya, Khor Fakkan, along with Al Madam Child Centre, have also benefited from the activities of the farm particularly the programme on how to raise and treat animals, Al Midfaa said, adding that children had an opportunity to know more about the types of endangered species in the Arabian peninsula.

Summer Centres in Al Melaiha, Al Khaldiya, Al Thumaid and Al Rafia have also participated in the farm's educational programme which highlighted the importance of recycling materials and its effectiveness in reducing wastes.