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Specific guidelines for Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park

ABU DHABI — In a move to protect its natural and cultural resources, Abu Dhabi's Urban Planning Council (UPC), in close collaboration with the Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi and other government organisations, announced the launch of new planning guidelines for the Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park.

As the first of five national parks identified in Strategic Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, the Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park will have specific guidelines to ensure its protection and longevity. The UPC is currently formulating similar specific planning guidelines for the remaining designated reserves.

Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager of the UPC, said, "The mangroves surrounding the city are the most important ecological source in the country and contain more biodiversities than any other area in Abu Dhabi. The environmental framework policies ensure the long-term protection of the mangrove area for future generations of citizens and visitors to Abu Dhabi."

The planning guidelines require that native vegetation and supporting hydrology be retained within the National Park, while allowing for adjustments to changing climate, sea level and other conditions.

These guidelines are based on scientific information that has been collected in the area by the Abu Dhabi government over many years and include archaeological, ecological and hydrological data.

They will encourage best practices in design, require careful consideration of utility provision and employ environmentally sensitive construction practices. The area has been the centre of recent development proposals following the Urban Structure Framework Plan: Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.

Ecologically, the Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park is a biodiversity hotspot containing large areas of intertidal habitats, including a mangrove forest, salt marsh, mudflat and algal communities. The ecosystem will provide a home to an array of species, including crabs, marine birds and abundant fish species at all stages of their life cycle.

The national park also provides a habitat for foraging turtles and marine mammals such as dugong and dolphin within a few kilometres of downtown Abu Dhabi.

The Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park also has important historical cultural significance as archaeological artefacts discovered in the area are testament to an early Bronze Age civilisation.

qudoos@khaleejtimes.com