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Deserts ‘under threat’

DUBAI — The natural and cultural heritage of the world’s deserts is being threatened by human activities, which if continued unabated, can alter desert ecosystems drastically, said experts at a technical session organised at the ‘Second Festival of Cultures and Civilisations of World Deserts’.

Held at the Dubai Police Officers Club yesterday, the technical session was addressed by Dr Habib Al Hibr, Acting Regional Director (West Asia), UNEP, and Dr Mohammed bin Fahd, Chairman of the Zayed Prize Higher Committee.

“Underdevelopment, poverty, poor education and inadequate management pose serious threats to the desert’s natural, cultural and economic wellbeing for their inhabitants as well as the rest of the world. Several man-made interventions exacerbate this problem such as habitat conversion, over-grazing, over-harvesting, introduction of alien species, changes in water availability and natural fire outbreaks,” said Dr Al Hibr.

Deserts occupy 41 per cent of the land area of the world and provide shelter and livelihood for about two billion people, about one-third of the world’s population.

“Biodiversity of deserts is of particular significance as it includes many unique biomes. Wetland areas in dry lands for instance, are of crucial importance in supporting migratory bird species, as well as local species,” added Dr Fahd.

“The world’s most important cultivated food crops and livestock originate in these lands. And we need to protect these.”

The workshop’s main objectives included promoting the cause of protecting desert’s biodiversity and sustainable development and to shed a light on the basic challenges and necessary actions guided by the Millennium Development Goals.