Jabal Ali Wildlife Sanctuary

Ostensibly it looks like another beautiful beach, a haven of bliss removed from the stress and clutter of urban life. One which, at first sight, stuns you with its white sands that sweep down to the frothing surf melting away into an expanse of turquoise waters. This dazzling 80 - sq km wilderness package of sun, sand and sea is, however, much more than just a pretty locale. It is one of the UAE's few marine protected areas and a repository of natural ecosystems, biotic species and genetic diversity. Also it is, as Redha Hassan Salman (head of environment protection and safety section, environment department, Dubai Municipality) puts it, "the only fingerprint of rich biological diversity that is left in Dubai."

From Jebel Ali Hotel to Ras Ghantut on the Abu Dhabi emirate border; and from the old Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway on the landward side to 2.5 km off shore into the coastal waters, the sanctuary encompasses a range of terrestrial, coastal and marine habitats. There are coral reefs, sea grass beds, inter-tidal areas, sandy beaches, lagoons, dunes and sabkhas (salt flats).

Underwater wealth... a sea anemone (in the foreground) and butterfly fish (right) amid corals

Dr. Shahid Mustafa, environment officer, marine environment and sanctuaries unit, Dubai Municipality, introduced Friday to the sanctuary's diverse ecosystems, all of which are precious for they support their own assemblage of flora and fauna; and these are inter-linked and interdependent one way or another. But there are some habitats that are biologically so rich that, from the ecological point of view, they are priceless. These are coral reefs, sea grass beds and inter tidal zones.

Corals, natural wonders that are among the world's oldest, most diverse and productive ecosystems, are homes to one-fourth of all marine species. Coral reefs are built by coral polyps (tiny animals related to jellyfish) that form limestone shells and help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as part of the carbon cycle.

Number of species in JAWS A total of some 392 species of wild fauna and flora have so far been enumerated. Among these are: Algae 10 Angiosperm 33 Coral 34 Annelid 12 Mollusc 52 Crustacean 23 Fish 91 Reptile 6 Bird 37 Mammal 6

Besides, reefs act as natural barriers that contribute towards protecting coastlines from battering waves and storms. They have economic benefits too, eco-tourism being only one of them.

With 34 coral species present, Jabal Ali Sanctuary must surely support one of the best reef systems in the Arabian Gulf region. On our visit, the shamal (local name for north-westerly wind) kicks up quite a surf and the sea is choppy. But on a still day when waters are calm one can view the variety and incredible beauty of corals in their vibrant hues, with coral fishes (there are some 10 species) and sea urchins frolicking about them.

In the neighbourhood, lie extensive sea grass beds, rising from the floor like dense forest stands. These are critical habitats for many species of fish and shellfish; foraging grounds for green turtles and dugongs; besides playing the role of trapping sediments that can destroy corals by smothering polyps or blocking their sunlight.

The inter-tidal zone, a thin film of water at the interface between land and sea, teems with life. Dr. Mustafa picks up just one piece of rock and uncovers at least six odd species - sponges, small crabs and crab larvae, annelids, seaweeds and molluscs. In the

A sandy beach, the transition zone between land and sea, supporting clumps of halophytic (salt-tolerant) vegetation

distance feed hundreds of gulls, rising like a cloudburst as a chopper passes overhead. Some 37 bird species have been observed in the sanctuary and, more recently, greater flamingos have started using the lagoon behind the low coastal dunes. We see adults and juveniles, six in all, the day we visit. The lagoon, with its startlingly blue waters, is not natural. It came about by chance as extraction of sand for construction created an extensive quarry that filled with seawater.

The sanctuary is a safe breeding ground for green turtles and an important habitat for marine mammals such as dugong, Indo-pacific humpback dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, spinner dolphin and finless porpoise.

Declared a sanctuary as per the Local Order 2/1998 after a protracted biological survey, a management plan for Jabal Ali Sanctuary is currently under way, as is scientific research and monitoring of various parameters at the site. But before the declaration, much harm had already come to it from human activities. Corals were recklessly removed. Fishing was extensive and anchors carelessly dropped on reefs, damaging them. Port-a-cabins got set up on the shore and four-wheel drives gashed the surface anywhere and everywhere. Barbecues under beach shelters left layers of charcoal and nails embedded in the sands, which were littered with refuse. Pets, particularly dogs, were brought in and roamed freely, to the detriment of biotic life. Poaching and hunting were rampant.

Colourful corals... From left: table coral, boulder coral and brain coral

Most of these damaging activities have been either stopped completely or brought under control now and coast guards patrol the place. Driving on the intertidal zone, fishing, boating and diving are definitely not allowed. But it is still difficult to manage the protected area. It should, however, simplify matters once the management plan becomes operational by the end of this year. The plan would clearly demarcate accessible areas and those closed; activities permitted and those not. Watch and ward will be enhanced and educational facilities such as a visitor centre are proposed.

However, "to protect the sanctuary," says Mohd. Abdul Rahman Hassan "a lot of responsibility lies on the people themselves. They should not cause harm to the sanctuary; but keep it pure for themselves, because they are the people who reap the maximum benefit from it."

WHAT ON EARTH CAN WE DO? Dubai Municipality's environmental guidelines say: Divers should avoid touching or physical contact with corals or any marine creatures. Driving in wadis (streams) should be avoided to ensure that oil and grease do not pollute them Wadis are important sources of irrigation and drinking water. Beaches and desert areas should not be littered with barbecue ashes. If you make a fire, take your own wood or charcoal or use dead wood. Do not pull limbs from "dead trees." Plants may look dead but they usually are not. Do not drive vehicles in the intertidal zone at the beach; nor exercise dogs or horses on the beach.

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